Topic
Every decision we've filed under Environmental (Civil).
The Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court ruling that upheld USCIS denial of an immigration petition based on a prior fraudulent marriage. The court held that the statutory marriage fraud bar applies even when no immigration benefit was sought for the prior marriage.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed summary judgment, holding that the Forest Service's cancellation of a grazing permit was supported by substantial evidence of unauthorized grazing. The court further ruled that the appeal was not moot because the appellant retains a concrete interest in resolving her compliance status to secure future permit priority.
The Fourth Circuit affirmed a district court ruling that a financial firm's long-term contingent incentive awards do not qualify as an employee pension benefit plan under ERISA. The court held that the WealthChoice Award program constitutes an exempt bonus plan because it is designed to incentivize retention and productivity rather than systematically defer income for retirement.
The Tenth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a challenge to a federal agency's approval of an underground coal mine expansion. The court held that the plaintiffs failed to establish standing or a valid cause of action under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit dismissed a petition for review of a Department of Veterans Affairs decision for lack of jurisdiction. The court held that exclusive authority to review Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions rests with the Court of Appeals for Veteran Claims.
The D.C. Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a challenge to the State Department's handling of Diversity Immigrant Visa applications for fiscal year 2021. The court held that federal courts lack the authority to order the agency to adjudicate visas after the statutory fiscal year has expired, rendering such claims moot and lacking standing.
The Fifth Circuit affirmed a district court judgment in favor of Brian Whiteside, ruling that he had standing to sue despite acting as an agent for a corporate entity. The court further held that the jury's finding of justifiable reliance was supported by sufficient evidence and that the exclusion of a disputed tape recording did not prejudice the defendants' substantial rights.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a challenge to a presidential proclamation creating a national monument, holding that the plaintiffs lacked Article III standing. The court ruled that alleged future injuries to tax revenue and land value were too speculative to satisfy the imminence requirement.
The Federal Circuit affirmed summary judgment for the United States, ruling that the plaintiff failed to prove her position required equal skill, effort, and responsibility compared to her male colleague under the Equal Pay Act. The court further held that the government successfully rebutted the claim by demonstrating the pay differential was based on factors other than sex.
The Ninth Circuit reversed the district court's dismissal of a declaratory judgment action, holding that a permanent life insurance policy issued in 2024 was a distinct contract from a prior term policy issued in 2004. Because the permanent policy was a new contract and the policyholder lacked an insurable interest at the time of its issuance, the court ruled the policy void as an illegal wager.