Case Explained: RUIZ-ACOSTA, ET AL. V. BLANCHE

Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Filed: 2026-07-10

The ninth-circuit granted the petition for review and remanded the case to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) for further proceedings. The court held that the Immigration Judge (IJ) abused its discretion by pretermitting the petitioners’ applications for asylum, withholding of removal, and Convention Against Torture relief due to a failure to provide adequate notice regarding biometrics obligations. Under 8 C.F.R. §§ 1003.47(c) and (d), the IJ failed to specify a deadline for completing biometrics, did not directly inform the non-English speaking petitioners of their obligations, and relied on communication through counsel without an interpreter. Because the petitioners had raised general arguments regarding compliance with biometrics orders in administrative proceedings, the court found these specific issues were exhausted under Ninth Circuit precedent. Consequently, the petitioners’ applications are reinstated for consideration, and a motion to stay removal pending the issuance of the mandate was granted.

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