Raj Patel

Correspondent

Raj Patel

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

Immigration & Government

Decisions covered by Raj Patel

897 decisions
Apr 30 2026
9th Cir. 23-138 Unpublished

ROMERO HERNANDEZ V. BLANCHE

The Ninth Circuit denied a petition for review of the BIA's decision, upholding the finding that Mexican men deported from the U.S. is too broad to constitute a cognizable particular social group. The court further held that substantial evidence supported the conclusion that the petitioner's harm was motivated by personal interference in a relationship rather than membership in a protected class.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Apr 30 2026
9th Cir. 25-5948 Unpublished

BUENROSTRO-MORENO, ET AL. V. BLANCHE

The Ninth Circuit denied a petition for review challenging an immigration judge's conduct and the denial of asylum claims for a family of Mexican nationals. The court held that the judge's inquiry into the government's appeal strategy did not constitute fundamental unfairness and that substantial evidence supported the finding that the petitioners could safely relocate within Mexico.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Apr 30 2026
7th Cir. 25-1233 Panel Decision

FLAVIA COATL-CHIQUITO v. TODD W. BLANCHE, Acting Attorney General of the United States

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the denial of Flavia Coatl-Chiquito's motions to reopen her in absentia removal order, holding that the Supreme Court's decision in Niz-Chavez does not equitably toll the statutory deadline. The court further dismissed her claim regarding sua sponte reopening for lack of jurisdiction, leaving the final order of removal in effect.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Apr 29 2026
5th Cir. 25-50688 Per Curiam

Saltkill v. Cavender Toyota

The Fifth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a pro se plaintiff's complaint against a car dealership and its financing arm. The court characterized the suit as patently frivolous due to the plaintiff's reliance on a personally created bill of exchange as valid payment.

Civil Forfeiture / Penalty
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Apr 29 2026
Fed. Cir. 25-1915 Panel Decision

TRULSON v. COLLINS

The Federal Circuit affirmed the denial of special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r) for a veteran with schizophrenia, holding that the statute requires specific anatomical losses or sensory impairments. The court clarified that the need for a higher level of care alone does not qualify a veteran for the enhanced rate without first meeting the predicate disability requirements.

Civil Social Security
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Apr 29 2026
9th Cir. 24-5648 Unpublished

SANTOYO SORIANO, ET AL. V. BLANCHE

The Ninth Circuit denied a petition for review of a Board of Immigration Appeals order dismissing asylum and protection claims. The court held that criminal extortion by a gang was motivated by pecuniary gain rather than family membership, and that petitioners failed to exhaust claims regarding a child's disability.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Apr 29 2026
9th Cir. 25-3097 Unpublished

MIHAI, ET AL. V. BLANCHE

The Ninth Circuit denied a petition for review of a BIA order denying asylum and related protections, ruling that the petitioners forfeited their primary legal challenge. The court dismissed the petition without addressing the merits of the underlying immigration claims due to procedural failures in the brief.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Apr 29 2026
9th Cir. 25-2254 Unpublished

GALDAMEZ V. BLANCHE

The Ninth Circuit denied a petition for review of a Board of Immigration Appeals order dismissing an asylum seeker's claims. The court held that the BIA's streamlining procedure was lawful and that the petitioner forfeited all other challenges by failing to raise them in his opening brief.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Apr 29 2026
9th Cir. 25-3538 Unpublished

ESCOBAR DE HENRIQUEZ, ET AL. V. BLANCHE

The Ninth Circuit denied the petition for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals' dismissal of asylum and Convention Against Torture claims, ruling that key arguments were forfeited for failure to be raised in the opening brief. Even on the merits, the court found substantial evidence supported the lower court's conclusion that the threats lacked a nexus to a protected ground and were not committed by forces the government could not control.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Apr 29 2026
9th Cir. 17-73325 Unpublished

ERICK TUCTO-SANCHEZ V. TODD BLANCHE

The Ninth Circuit denied a petition for review of an immigration order because the petitioner failed to exhaust specific legal challenges before the Board of Immigration Appeals. The court dismissed the petition without addressing the merits of the asylum, withholding of removal, or Convention Against Torture claims.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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