Raj Patel

Correspondent

Raj Patel

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

Immigration & Government

Decisions covered by Raj Patel

470 decisions
Mar 13 2026
9th Cir. 17-70213 Unpublished

GUSTAVO ANTONIO MARAVILLA- PINEDA v. PAMELA J. BONDI, United States Attorney General

The Ninth Circuit denied a petition for review of an immigration judge's adverse credibility determination, finding that substantial evidence supported the agency's findings of inconsistency in the petitioner's testimony. Because the petitioner's credibility was rejected, the court affirmed the denial of his claims for asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Mar 13 2026
9th Cir. 21-70882 Unpublished

BYRON MALDONADO-RODAS v. PAMELA BONDI, Attorney General

The Ninth Circuit denied Byron Maldonado-Rodas's petition for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals' decision to deny his applications for withholding of removal and cancellation of removal. The court held that the petitioner forfeited challenges to the nexus determination and that his proposed particular social group was not cognizable.

Civil Forfeiture / Penalty Immigration (Civil)
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Mar 12 2026
Fed. Cir. 24-2352 Panel Decision

Buy Belize, LLC v. United States

The Federal Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Buy Belize's complaint for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction. The court held that the Court of Federal Claims lacks authority to adjudicate claims challenging the merits of a district court's turnover order issued in civil contempt proceedings.

Civil Other Civil
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Mar 12 2026
7th Cir. 23-1201 Panel Decision

GURMEET SINGH v. PAMELA J. BONDI, Attorney General of the United States

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the Board of Immigration Appeals' denial of Gurmeet Singh's adjustment of status application, holding that room and board provided by temples outside his sponsoring entity constituted unauthorized employment. The court found no reversible error in the agency's determination that Singh violated the terms of his R-1 visa by working for over 180 days at locations not authorized by his original petition.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Mar 12 2026
11th Cir. 25-11613 Per Curiam

NATALIA MOROZOVA v. U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL

The Eleventh Circuit denied Natalia Morozova's petition for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals' order affirming the denial of her claim for withholding of removal. The court held that the agency's findings were supported by substantial evidence and that the proposed particular social group was not cognizable under immigration law.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Mar 10 2026
6th Cir. 25-3757 Published

Dario Humberto Ortiz Rodriguez v. Pamela Bondi, Attorney General

The Sixth Circuit denied a petition for review regarding a withholding of removal claim, holding that the Board of Immigration Appeals' decision was supported by substantial evidence. The court found that police intervention in past attacks against the petitioner served as affirmative proof that Honduras has not abandoned its efforts to protect citizens from gang violence.

Civil Forfeiture / Penalty Immigration (Civil)
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Mar 10 2026
1st Cir. 25-1448 Panel Decision

CLARIXA MALDONADO-RUIZ v. PAMELA J. BONDI Attorney General

The First Circuit denied a petition for review of an asylum denial, ruling that the petitioner failed to prove past persecution or a sufficient causal link between the harm she suffered and her claimed sexual orientation. The court further held that the petitioner did not demonstrate that the Honduran government was unwilling or unable to protect her from private actors.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Mar 10 2026
9th Cir. 24-7536 Published

MARICRUZ MARISOL ROJAS-ESPINOZA v. PAMELA BONDI

The Ninth Circuit en banc court denied the petitioners' motion to stay removal and lifted a previously entered temporary stay of removal. Chief Judge Murguia wrote separately to clarify that the lawfulness of the court's automatic stay practice is an internal administrative matter not properly before the court.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Mar 10 2026
6th Cir. 25-3282 Published

Catarina Josefina Hernandez-Calel v. Pamela Bondi, Attorney General

The Sixth Circuit denied a petition for review of a BIA decision rejecting an asylum claim because the petitioner failed to prove her abuse was motivated by her membership in a protected social group. The court held that the harm suffered was the result of private crimes rather than persecution on account of her identity as an indigenous Mayan Quiche woman.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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