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 2 2026
9th Cir. 23-963 Unpublished

RAMON SOLANO-TENORIO v. PAMELA BONDI, Attorney General

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the denial of cancellation of removal and voluntary departure, holding that substantial evidence supported the finding that the petitioner's wife did not face exceptional and extremely unusual hardship. The court further ruled that the agency did not abuse its discretion in denying voluntary departure given the petitioner's significant criminal history.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Mar 2 2026
9th Cir. 17-72144 Unpublished

Maria Isabel Alcantara Mendez v. Pamela Bondi, Attorney General

The Ninth Circuit denied a Mexican national's petition for review of her asylum and Convention Against Torture claims, ruling that she forfeited her challenge to the definition of a particular social group. The court held that the petitioner failed to meet her burden of proof because she did not properly raise alternative groups before the immigration judge.

Civil Forfeiture / Penalty Immigration (Civil)
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Feb 27 2026
1st Cir. 25-1137 Panel Decision

ELAINE DA SILVA-QUEIROGA v. PAMELA J. BONDI Attorney General

The First Circuit denied a petition for review of an asylum claim because the petitioner failed to prove she suffered past persecution or had a well-founded fear of future persecution. The court affirmed the Immigration Judge and Board of Immigration Appeals' determination that the petitioner's experiences did not meet the statutory severity threshold required for asylum, withholding of removal, or Convention Against Torture protection.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Feb 25 2026
3rd Cir. 26-1201 Panel Decision

In re JORDAN ZAHLER

The Third Circuit denied a pro se petitioner's request for a writ of mandamus, ruling that he failed to meet the high burden required for such an extraordinary remedy. The court held that the District Court's decisions on default judgment, recusal, and dismissal were not subject to mandamus review under established legal standards.

Civil Insurance
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Feb 24 2026
United States Court… 25-5259 Panel Decision

Nicholas Woodall v. Donald J. Trump, President, et al.

The D.C. Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Nicholas Woodall's complaint against the President, ruling that the filing failed to meet the pleading standards of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8(a). The court held that the document did not constitute a valid case or controversy under Article III because it lacked a short and plain statement of jurisdiction or grounds for relief.

Admiralty / Maritime Civil
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Feb 24 2026
United States Court… 25-7138 Panel Decision

S.R.B. Kenneth v. TYPSA Group and Kingdom of Spain

The D.C. Circuit affirmed the dismissal of claims against the Kingdom of Spain, ruling that sovereign immunity under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act barred the suit. The court also upheld the dismissal of claims against TYPSA Group for failing to allege a domestic injury required for RICO liability or conduct violating the law of nations.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Feb 24 2026
7th Cir. 25-2417 Panel Decision

DANUTA DEC v. MARKWAYNE MULLIN, Secretary of Homeland Security

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a challenge to a USCIS waiver denial, holding that federal statutes unequivocally preclude judicial review of agency decisions regarding waivers of inadmissibility. The court also admonished the petitioner's attorney for submitting a brief containing non-existent citations and false quotations generated by artificial intelligence.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Feb 20 2026
3rd Cir. 24-2306 Panel Decision

STEEVE J. DJORKAEFF MOISE v. ATTORNEY GENERAL UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The Third Circuit denied a petition for review of a final order of removal against a Haitian national, upholding the Immigration Judge's decision that his asylum claim was time-barred. The court further affirmed the denial of withholding of removal and Convention Against Torture relief due to insufficient evidence of specific persecution or torture.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Feb 19 2026
3rd Cir. 25-1316 Panel Decision

RUTUL A JAISWAL v. ATTORNEY GENERAL UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The Third Circuit denied a petition for review of a Board of Immigration Appeals order dismissing an Indian national's claims for withholding of removal and Convention Against Torture protection. The court found the petitioner failed to provide substantial evidence that he faced a clear probability of persecution or torture in India based on religion, political opinion, or mental health.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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