7th Cir.

United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

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

May 5 2026
25-3050 Panel Decision

Margarito Castañon-Nava v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, et al

The Seventh Circuit affirmed a district court order extending a consent decree by one hundred eighteen days due to substantial noncompliance by immigration officials. The court reversed in part the lower court's order releasing hundreds of potential class members, holding that the government's mandatory detention authority under Section twelve hundred twenty-five does not apply to noncitizens unlawfully present within the United States.

May 5 2026
25-1536 Panel Decision

United States of America v. Adam Blocker

The Seventh Circuit affirmed a conviction for child pornography, ruling that a user's consent to a cloud storage provider's terms of service validly authorized a search of their files. The court held that the provider's review of data to detect illegal content was a private search, not a government action requiring a warrant.

May 1 2026
24-2806 Panel Decision

ANA BERNAL v. KOHL'S CORPORATION and KOHL'S, INC

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the denial of a petition to compel arbitration, holding that federal courts cannot overturn an arbitrator's discretionary decision to terminate proceedings. Because the American Arbitration Association properly closed the cases after Kohl's refused to register its agreement, the petitioners remain barred from judicial resolution of their claims.

Apr 30 2026
24-2702 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. GLENN D. WOODEN

The Seventh Circuit affirmed Glenn Wooden's conviction and sentence, rejecting his novel argument that the Controlled Substances Act criminalizes only specific optical isomers of methamphetamine. The court held that federal law prohibits all forms of the drug regardless of molecular composition, rendering the government's expert testimony on purity sufficient.

Apr 30 2026
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.

Apr 29 2026
20-3065 Panel Decision

SOULEYMANE NIMAGA v. TODD W. BLANCHE Acting Attorney General of the United States

The Seventh Circuit denied a petition to rescind an in absentia removal order, holding that financial hardship and a failed transportation arrangement do not constitute 'exceptional circumstances' under immigration law. The court emphasized that the petitioner failed to notify the Immigration Court of his predicament despite having the means to do so.

Apr 28 2026
25-1562 Panel Decision

KIMBERLY BALLARD v. AMEREN ILLINOIS COMPANY

The Seventh Circuit vacated a dismissal of an ADA claim because the district court failed to address the plaintiff's argument for equitable tolling. While the court affirmed that the plaintiff's initial intake form did not count as a statutory charge, it ordered a remand to determine if the agency's confusing communications warranted extending the filing deadline.

Apr 27 2026
24-2489 Panel Decision

United States v. Corruthers

The Seventh Circuit affirmed an above-guidelines sentence for a defendant who facilitated a straw purchase of a firearm that was later used to kill a police officer. The court held that the district court acted within its discretion to vary from the Sentencing Guidelines based on the unique circumstances and consequences of the offense.