Topic
Every decision we've filed under Civil.
The Supreme Court held that the Immigration and Nationality Act mandates substantial-evidence review for the Board of Immigration Appeals' determinations regarding whether undisputed facts constitute persecution. The Court affirmed the First Circuit's removal order, ruling that the record did not compel a finding of persecution under this deferential standard.
The Seventh Circuit held that a prison's refusal to provide accurate prayer schedules does not violate RLUIPA or the Free Exercise Clause when inmates can obtain them through donations or purchase. The court affirmed summary judgment for the defendants, ruling that the de minimis cost of buying a schedule does not constitute a substantial burden on religious exercise.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed the Village of St. Bernard's billboard ordinance, ruling that its unconstitutional exemption for public service signs is severable from the rest of the regulations. The court held that the remaining ordinance satisfies intermediate scrutiny as a valid content-neutral time, place, and manner restriction on speech.
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.
The Third Circuit affirmed summary judgment for 7-Eleven in a franchise dispute, ruling that the franchisor had valid grounds to rescind the agreement due to the franchisee's failure to maintain required net worth and operate as a 24-hour store. The court further held that 7-Eleven's refusal to permanently waive penalty fees did not violate the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
The Tenth Circuit affirmed summary judgment, holding that a plaintiff lacked Article III standing to sue for a Credit Repair Organization Act violation because he received services worth more than his advance payment before the payment was collected. The court ruled that a statutory violation alone does not create a concrete injury when the consumer has already received the full value of the bargain.
The Third Circuit vacated a District Court stay that blocked Ligado Networks from enforcing a bankruptcy-approved agreement with AST & Science regarding spectrum rights. The appellate court held that the District Court abused its discretion by misinterpreting the contract and failing to recognize the irreparable harm Ligado would suffer from missing critical FCC deadlines.
The Third Circuit affirmed the denial of Social Security disability benefits to Michael Pendergrass, ruling that substantial evidence supported the Administrative Law Judge's finding that Pendergrass was not disabled. The court held that the ALJ properly weighed medical evidence and considered Pendergrass's inconsistent treatment history in determining his residual functional capacity.
The Third Circuit reversed the District Court's denial of a motion to compel arbitration, holding that an employee's failure to opt out of a clearly written arbitration plan constitutes valid acceptance under New Jersey law. The court found that the employer's Plan Document alone formed a binding agreement to arbitrate all employment-related claims.
The Third Circuit reversed the district court's denial of summary judgment, holding that a state trooper was entitled to qualified immunity for searching a former mayor's home. The court found that it was not clearly established at the time that a potential conflict of interest under state ethics laws provided probable cause for a warrantless search of a residence.