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.

Jun 5 2026
24-2939 Panel Decision

Aleksey Ruderman, Arturo Saldivar, and Chris Pocknell v. Kenosha County, Wisconsin, et al

The Seventh Circuit vacated a dismissal of a civil rights suit alleging that a county jail violated federal anti-forced labor laws by requiring unpaid work from civil immigration detainees. The court held that the statute applies to public counties and that threatening detainees with solitary confinement to compel labor constitutes a violation.

Civil Civil Rights - PLRA / Prisoner Civil Rights - Section 1983
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Jun 5 2026
25-1652 Panel Decision

Devon Nobles and Anqi Liu v. Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of Homeland Security, et al

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a challenge to the denial of a spousal immigration petition under the Adam Walsh Act. The court held that the statute grants the Secretary of Homeland Security sole and unreviewable discretion over no-risk determinations, stripping federal courts of jurisdiction to review the agency's process or constitutional claims outside of removal proceedings.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Jun 5 2026
25-2025 Panel Decision

Associated Press v. Neal

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the denial of a preliminary injunction sought by media groups challenging Indiana's policy restricting execution attendance. The court held that the First Amendment does not grant a qualified right of public access to view executions, as they lack a historical tradition of openness to the general public.

Criminal Sex Offenses
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Jun 3 2026
24-2999 Panel Decision

United States v. Whitesides

The Seventh Circuit affirmed a drug and firearm conviction where the district court applied a sentencing enhancement for maintaining a premises for distribution. The court held that the evidence supported the enhancement despite minor factual inaccuracies in the district court's reasoning.

Criminal Sentencing Guidelines
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