9th Cir.

United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

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

Apr 30 2026
23-138 Unpublished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 29 2026
25-3538 Unpublished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
17-73325 Unpublished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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Apr 29 2026
22-1949 Unpublished

CASTELLANOS GARCIA, ET AL. V. BLANCHE

The Ninth Circuit denied the petition for review because the Board of Immigration Appeals affirmed the denial of asylum based solely on the one-year filing bar without addressing the merits. Consequently, the panel could not review arguments regarding changed circumstances, leaving the petitioners' claims for relief denied.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Apr 29 2026
24-4687 Unpublished

CASTELLANOS GARCIA, ET AL. V. BLANCHE

The Ninth Circuit denied the petition for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals' order dismissing asylum and withholding claims. The court found the petitioners failed to overcome the one-year filing deadline and could not establish a cognizable social group for protection.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Apr 29 2026
2:03-cv-00978- Published

James Scott v. Ron Broomfield

The Ninth Circuit reversed a district court's grant of habeas corpus relief, holding that the California Supreme Court reasonably concluded that trial counsel's performance was not deficient and did not prejudice the defendant. The panel remanded the case for the district court to consider Scott's remaining claims while affirming the denial of relief on the guilt-phase ineffective assistance of counsel claim.

Constitutional Fifth Amendment - Self-Incrimination Habeas Corpus - General (28 USC 2241) Habeas Corpus - State Prisoner (28 USC 2254)
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Apr 29 2026
2:19-cv-09430-DOC-KES Unpublished

VIEN-PHUONG HO V. THE CITY OF LONG BEACH, PUBLIC WORKS, ET AL

The Ninth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for the City and officers, ruling that the plaintiff failed to establish a protected possessory interest in the neighbors' portion of an alleyway. The court further held that the officers were entitled to qualified immunity and that the district court committed no abuse of discretion regarding procedural rulings.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Qualified Immunity Summary Judgment
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Apr 29 2026
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
3:24-cv-02398-LB Unpublished

REZANEZHAD GATABI V. TARGET CORPORATION, ET AL.

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a personal injury lawsuit against Target, ruling that California's two-year statute of limitations applies to the case rather than North Dakota's six-year period. The court held that under California's governmental interest approach to choice of law, the state has a stronger interest in applying its laws to a California resident suing in a California court for products purchased there.

Civil Statute of Limitations Tort / Personal Injury
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Apr 29 2026
18-70315 Unpublished

NELDA PENA-PORTILLO, ET AL V. TODD BLANCHE

The Ninth Circuit denied a petition for review because the petitioner failed to argue the merits of her asylum and removal claims in her opening brief. The court also dismissed jurisdictional challenges regarding the Notice to Appear and ineffective assistance of counsel as unexhausted or foreclosed by precedent.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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