11th Cir.

United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

Every decision we've summarized from United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

Mar 6 2026
25-11585 Per Curiam

AMELIA CHUM-PASTOR EDISON G. CIFUENTES-CHUM v. U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL

The Eleventh Circuit granted summary disposition in favor of the government, holding that petitioners abandoned their procedural challenge to the Board of Immigration Appeals' handling of their minor son's appeal. The court affirmed the BIA's denial of asylum, withholding of removal, and Convention Against Torture relief without addressing the merits of the procedural argument.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Mar 6 2026
6:22-cr-00148-PGB-LHP-6 Per Curiam

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. DICKENSON ELAN

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Dickenson Elan's RICO conspiracy conviction and 135-month sentence, rejecting challenges to evidence admission and sufficiency of proof. The court held that the district court properly applied sentencing enhancements based on the total economic loss of the tax fraud scheme and did not abuse its discretion in imposing the sentence despite Elan's claims of hardship from future removal to Haiti.

Criminal Drug Trafficking Guidelines Departure Plain Error Review
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Mar 4 2026
25-11753 Per Curiam

FARIDULLAH LIWAN KHIL v. U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL SECRETARY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals denied consolidated petitions for review regarding an Afghan national's claims for asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture. The court upheld the Board of Immigration Appeals' factual findings that the petitioner failed to prove past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution, concluding that these findings were supported by substantial evidence in the record.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Mar 2 2026
1:14-cr-20210-MGC-1 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. MIKEL MIMS

The Eleventh Circuit held that a federal district court retains ancillary jurisdiction to enforce unsatisfied restitution obligations in a criminal case even after a defendant completes her probationary sentence. The court affirmed the lower court's order requiring the defendant to resume payments, rejecting arguments that the case closure or probation expiration divested the court of authority.

Criminal Fraud
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Feb 27 2026
2:19-cr-00004-TPB-NPM-2 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. SYLVANIS BRICE

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed convictions for Hobbs Act robbery, holding that federal courts have jurisdiction over generally applicable federal crimes committed by Indians against Indians in Indian country. The court also ruled that while the district court erred by failing to perform an on-the-record balancing test before admitting prior conviction evidence, the error was harmless given the strength of the remaining evidence.

Criminal Robbery & Extortion
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Feb 26 2026
3:18-cr-209-MMH-MCR Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JIMMY RAY LIGHTSEY

The Eleventh Circuit vacated Jimmy Ray Lightsey's sentence, holding that his prior conviction for attempted armed robbery under Florida law does not qualify as a violent felony under the Armed Career Criminal Act. The court determined that the elements of Florida's attempt statute do not always require proof of the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force.

Criminal Drug Trafficking
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Feb 19 2026
1:22-cr-20557-BB-1 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JAVIER HERNANDEZ

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed Javier Hernandez's convictions for migrant smuggling, transporting stolen vessels, and money laundering. The court held that the government's extraction of cell phone data after a warrant's expiration date was lawful under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 41 and that the evidence was sufficient to support the jury's verdict.

Criminal Fourth Amendment - Search & Seizure Money Laundering Robbery & Extortion
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Feb 19 2026
1:20-cv-01771-JPB Published

C.B. by and through K.B. and S.B. v. Henry County School District

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed a district court ruling that a school district complied with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act by moving a student with Down syndrome from one special education class to another. However, the court reversed the lower court's dismissal of the case as moot regarding the student's alternative assessment placement and ordered a remand for further proceedings.

Administrative / Agency Review Civil Civil Rights - Education Mootness
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