Decisions

Every decision we've summarized — searchable, filterable, neutral.

Feb 18 2026
1st Cir. 14-1572 Panel Decision

NIRANJAN KHANAL; GITA KHANAL v. PAMELA J. BONDI, Attorney General

The First Circuit vacated the Board of Immigration Appeals' denial of asylum and related relief, ruling that the agency erred by relying solely on an adverse credibility finding while ignoring independent documentary and testimonial evidence. The court also held that the agency applied the incorrect legal standard to the withholding of removal claim by failing to conduct a purely objective assessment of future persecution.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Feb 18 2026
1st Cir. 25-1267 Panel Decision

ROSA LIDIA CANTE MIJANGOS v. PAMELA J. BONDI, Attorney General

The First Circuit denied a petition for review of an asylum denial because the petitioner failed to develop specific legal or factual arguments challenging the Board of Immigration Appeals' nexus finding. The court held that without a developed argument connecting the abuse to the petitioner's protected status, the claim fails regardless of the severity of the harm suffered.

Civil Immigration (Civil)
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Feb 17 2026
United States Court… 24-5276 Panel Decision

PATRICK LENZ, DR., EXECUTOR OF THE ESTATE OF HARRY S. STONEHILL v. INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE

The D.C. Circuit affirmed the denial of a motion to vacate a 2008 FOIA judgment, ruling that the movant failed to prove fraud on the court by clear and convincing evidence. The court also upheld the lower court's decision to treat the motion as untimely under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b)(3).

Civil FOIA Summary Judgment Tax (Civil)
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Feb 17 2026
7th Cir. 24-2577 Panel Decision

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. MONISHA RHODES

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the denial of Monisha Rhodes's motion for compassionate release, ruling that statutory sentencing factors weighed against relief despite her caregiving circumstances. The court held that the district court properly considered her extensive criminal history and the need to protect the public from further crimes.

Compassionate Release Criminal Drug Trafficking Supervised Release
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Feb 17 2026
7th Cir. 25-1541 Panel Decision

FELIPE N. GOMEZ Debtor- v. LARRY WEISENTHAL and CONSTANCE WEISENTHAL

The Seventh Circuit affirmed a lower court ruling denying a Chapter 7 debtor's request to dismiss an adversary proceeding after the bankruptcy trustee had already settled the case. The court held that the debtor lacked standing to control the litigation because the estate's liabilities vastly exceeded its assets, leaving no realistic prospect of a surplus for the debtor.

Bankruptcy Civil
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Feb 17 2026
7th Cir. 24-2774 Panel Decision

EDWARD L. ASH v. CITY OF AURORA

The Seventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment for the City of Aurora and its officers, ruling that the plaintiff's Fourth Amendment claims were either time-barred or defeated by the existence of probable cause. The court held that a state judge's finding of probable cause to charge the plaintiff with a weapon offense provided an absolute defense to his civil rights lawsuit, regardless of his subsequent acquittal.

Civil Civil Rights - Section 1983 Statute of Limitations
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Feb 17 2026
11th Cir. 5:11-cr-00023-MW-GRJ-1 Published

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. RUFINO ROBELO-GALO

The Eleventh Circuit established a new standard for compassionate release, requiring inmates to prove that no other person is both qualified and free to care for an incapacitated family member. Applying this rule, the court affirmed the denial of Rufino Robelo-Galo's petition because his son was found to be an available alternative caregiver.

Compassionate Release Criminal Drug Trafficking Sentencing Guidelines
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Feb 13 2026
United States Court… 25-7003 Panel Decision

Mohammad Hilmi Nassif & Partners v. Republic of Iraq: Mohammad Hilmi Nassif & Partners v. Republic of Iraq

The D.C. Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a suit seeking recognition of a Jordanian judgment against Iraq, holding that the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act provides the sole basis for jurisdiction over foreign states. The court found that neither an explicit waiver nor the commercial activity exception applied to the underlying debt dispute.

Administrative / Agency Review Civil
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Feb 13 2026
United States Court… 24-5237 Panel Decision

EB5 HOLDINGS INC., ET AL. v. JOSEPH EDLOW, DIRECTOR, UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES

The D.C. Circuit affirmed that regional centers participating in the EB-5 visa program must pay the annual Integrity Fund fee, regardless of whether they were designated before the 2022 statutory overhaul. The court held that the statutory term 'designated' describes a current status of authorization rather than the specific historical moment of designation.

Administrative / Agency Review Civil
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