Raj Patel

Correspondent

Raj Patel

Breaking news correspondent, covers late-night developments and emergency rulings.

Immigration & Government

Decisions covered by Raj Patel

478 decisions
Mar 20 2026
9th Cir. 2:22-cv-01004-SRB Unpublished

CHURCH OF THE EAGLE AND THE CONDOR, et al v. PAMELA J. BONDI, Attorney General, et al

The Ninth Circuit reversed a district court order denying attorney's fees to religious plaintiffs who reached a settlement with the government. The appellate court held that the plaintiffs qualified as prevailing parties because the settlement agreement materially altered their legal relationship and the district court retained jurisdiction to enforce it.

Civil FOIA
Read summary →
Mar 19 2026
1st Cir. 24-1696 Panel Decision

Hodzic v. Bondi

The First Circuit denied petitions for review challenging the Board of Immigration Appeals' refusal to reopen removal proceedings sua sponte. The court found that the Hodzics failed to demonstrate any colorable legal or constitutional error in the agency's discretionary decision.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
Read summary →
Mar 19 2026
3rd Cir. 2:24-cv-00896 Panel Decision

Hice v. EQT Corp.

The Third Circuit vacated the District Court's denial of a preliminary injunction because the plaintiffs failed to make a facial showing of subject-matter jurisdiction under the Class Action Fairness Act. The court held that alleging residency is insufficient to establish the diversity of citizenship required for federal jurisdiction in CAFA cases.

Civil Environmental (Civil) Preliminary Injunction
Read summary →
Mar 19 2026
1st Cir. 24-1204 Panel Decision

Hodzic v. Bondi

The First Circuit Court of Appeals denied the Hodzics' petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals' orders denying their motions to reopen and reconsider. The court held that the BIA acted within its discretion and that the petitioners failed to demonstrate the legal or constitutional errors required to trigger judicial review of a sua sponte motion.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
Read summary →
Mar 18 2026
5th Cir. 25-40644 Per Curiam

Hrncir v. Internal Revenue Service

The Fifth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Anthony Hrncir's pro se complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The court held that Hrncir failed to adequately brief his arguments and that his novel legal theories regarding intellectual consciousness do not establish a valid cause of action under the Freedom of Information Act or the Privacy Act.

Civil Social Security Standing
Read summary →
Mar 18 2026
4th Cir. 24-1056 Per Curiam

ISLAND CREEK COAL COMPANY; CONSOL ENERGY, INCORPORATED v. DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION PROGRAMS UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR; ROBERT E. FRAZIER

The Fourth Circuit denied a petition for review challenging an award of Black Lung Benefits to a retired West Virginia miner. The court upheld the lower tribunal's finding that the miner was totally disabled by pneumoconiosis and that his claim was filed within the statutory time limit.

Administrative / Agency Review Civil Social Security Statute of Limitations
Read summary →
Mar 18 2026
9th Cir. 21-70088 Unpublished

I.V.Z. v. Pamela Bondi, Attorney General

The Ninth Circuit denied a petition for review of an immigration order because the petitioner failed to specifically argue the dispositive legal elements of his asylum and withholding of removal claims. The court held that the petitioner forfeited review of the nexus and government protection determinations by not addressing them distinctly in his opening brief.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
Read summary →
Mar 17 2026
7th Cir. 25-2202 Panel Decision

NORMA SANTOS-MENJIVAR v. PAMELA J. BONDI Attorney General of the United States

The Seventh Circuit denied a Honduran citizen's petition for review of an asylum denial, upholding the finding that gang extortion was motivated by perceived wealth rather than gender. The court held that general country conditions and academic articles were insufficient to establish the required nexus between the petitioner's proposed social groups and the feared harm.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
Read summary →