Cases discussed on the Immigration Review Podcast

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8/19/25

Guandique-De Romero v. Bondi, No. 24-1154 (4th Cir. Aug. 13, 2025)

• ineffective assistance; competence; fundamentally fair; wealth-based PSGs; women; family; reopening; prejudice

Rivas de Nolasco v. Bondi, No. 22-1176 (4th Cir. Aug. 14, 2025)

• women; Riley & PFR mid-proceedings; nexus; children & gangs

Alvarez Ronquillo v. Bondi, No. 24-1324 (4th Cir. Aug. 15, 2025)

• firearms trafficking; 101(a)(43)(C) aggravated felony; 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(1)(A); consideration

Matter of Salas Pena, 29 I&N Dec. 173 (BIA 2025)

• bond; dangerousness; police reports; cocaine trafficking

Hernandez Flores v. Bondi, No. 23-6714 (2d Cir. Aug. 14, 2025)

• ineffective assistance; failure to advise of qualifying relative; marriage in proceedings; continuance; Patel

Romero-Lozano v. Garland, No. 23-60638 (5th Cir. Aug. 12, 2025)

• withholding only; reinstatement; Riley; reinstate mandate

Montiel Rubio v. Bondi, No. 24-60392 (5th Cir. Aug. 13, 2025)

• collectivos; persecution; getting shot; death threats; gassed; Venezuela

Suchite-Salguero v. Att'y Gen. U.S., No. 24-1970 (3d Cir. Aug. 14, 2025)

• new & previous unavailable before IJ; former hearing; Kisor; harmless error; Chenery; baby during appeal

Roman Sanchez v. Att'y Gen. U.S., No. 242-279 (3d Cir. Aug. 15, 2025)

• GMC; barring testimony; Castillo-Perez presumption; DUI

Rivas-Jarquin v. Bondi, No. 24-2386 (7th Cir. Aug. 11, 2025)

• pattern or practice; medical professionals; opposition to Sandinistas; Nicaragua

Santos Mendoza v. Bondi, No. 24-2796 (7th Cir. Aug. 14, 2025)

• cancellation; psychological hardship to children; financial hardship; Wilkinson

Martinez-Martinez v. Bondi, No. 24-3281 (7th Cir. Aug. 14, 2025)

• commune violence; unable or unwilling; relocation; Honduras

8/14/25

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8/12/25

Hernandez Guardado v. Bondi, No. 23-92286 (4th Cir. Aug. 5, 2025) 

• particular social group; women; anti-circularity not determinative; El Salvador 

Matter of Akhmedov, 29 I&N Dec. 166 (BIA 2025) 

• bond; flight risk; failure to timely file change of address EOIR-33

Matter of Garcia Martinez, 29 I&N Dec. 169 (BIA 2025) 

• filing fees; fee waiver; presumptions

Garcia Pinach v. Bondi, No. 22-6421 (2d Cir. Aug. 4, 2025) 

• misdemeanor sexual contact with a minor; NYPL § 130.60(2); aggravated felony; Loper Bright & star decisis; standard of review for equitable tolling

Wassily v. Bondi; Velasquez Arreaga v. Bondi, Nos. 22-6247_23-6289 (2d Cir. Aug. 7, 2025) 

• adjustment of status for asylees; INA § 209; T-C-A-; statutory interpretation; definition of granted & status; termination of asylum status

Fiddler v. Bondi, No. 24-2604 (7th Cir. Aug. 7, 2025) 

• CAT purpose; specific intent to torture; mental health; police shootings; Jamaica

Cortez, et al. v. Bondi, No. 24-9551 (10th Cir. Aug. 5, 2025) 

•  failure to sign certificate of service; ECAS; BIA rules; form instructions

Chavez-Govea v. Bondi, No. 24-9551 (10th Cir. Aug. 5, 2025) 

• IJ asylum filing deadline; continuance; diligence; abuse of discretion; due process; motion to remand

Lopez-Martinez v. Bondi, No. 23-10105 (11th Cir. Aug. 6, 2025) 

• substantial evidence and arbitrary and capricious standards of review; exceptional and extremely unusual hardship; Wilkinson; overview of standards of review; ADHD, denial of schooling, and whether medications are reasonably available 

Click me for psych survey!

8/5/25

Matter of Felix-Figueroa, 29 I&N Dec. 157 (BIA 2025)

• isomers; possession of methamphetamine; realistic probability test; burdens

Rivera Samayoa v. Bondi, No. 24-1432 (1st Cir. July 28, 2025)

• cancellation of removal; exceptional and extremely unusual hardship; mixed questions of law and fact; discretionary relief; cumulative hardship analysis

Real v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 24-1545 (3d Cir. July 30, 2025)

• due process; extraordinary circumstances; one-year asylum deadline; jurisdiction; INA § 208(a)(2)(D); INA § 203(a)(3) 

Navarro v. Bondi, No. 24-1253 (4th Cir. July 31, 2025)

• MS-13; CAT protection; credibility; omissions; expert evidence; more likely than not; issue exhaustion.  

 Sanchez-Banos v. Bondi, No. 24-2241 (8th Cir. Aug. 1, 2025)

•  administrative closure; Avetisyan factors; failure to submit hardship evidence

7/29/25

Da Silva Borges v. Bondi, No. 24-1695 (1st Cir. July 18, 2025

• DHS burden to prove alienage by clear, unequivocal, and convincing evidence; Woodby standard; Rosa

Perez Cruz v. Bondi, No. 24-2865 (9th Cir. July 21, 2025)

•  CAT protection; Gulf Cartel; cooperation with U.S. government; presumption of regularity; considering entire record; audio issues; due process; prejudice; Mexico

Singh v. Bondi, No. 23-9598 (10th Cir. July 22, 2025)

• mental health; competency; hunger strike; continuance

Cano-Gutierrez v. Bondi, No. 24-1616 (1st Cir. July 24, 2025)

• asylum; CAT protection; nexus; particular social group; generalized violence; issue exhaustion; waiver of issues

Gomez-Gabriel v. U.S. Atty Gen., No. 24-2559 (3d Cir. July 24, 2025)

• Summary affirmance; 8 C.F.R. § 1003.1(e)(4); issue exhaustion; 8 U.S.C. § 1252(d)(1); nexus; gang violence; indigenous 

Cabello Garcia v. USCIS, No. 23-35267 (9th Cir. July 22, 2025)

• 8 U.S.C. § 1252(a)(2)(B)(i); U visa adjustment of status; 8 U.S.C. § 1255(m); medical exam; discretionary relief; collateral challenge; adjustment of status; Administrative Procedure Act; due process; Patel v. Garland

7/22/25

Qatanani v. Att'y Gen. U.S., No. 24-1849 (3d Cir. July 15, 2025) 

• BIA self-certification; separation of powers; rescission; grant of LPR status;  Kisor deference; constitutional violation & discretionary adjustment of status; due process

Matter of C-M-M-, 29 I&N Dec. 141 (BIA 2025) 

• DHS meeting bond burden; danger; flight risk; withholding-only; unlawful reentries  

Matter of K-E-S-G-, 29 I&N Dec. 145 (BIA 2025) 

• particularity; sex; nationality; women viewed as property; societal views 

Mejia-Hernandez v. Bondi, No. 23-1508 (7th Cir. July 17, 2025) 

• family-based nexus; revenge; unable or unwilling; well-founded fear; threats rising to the level of past-persecution; murder of family members; untimely assertion of deficient NTA claims processing rule; Honduras

Singh v. Bondi, No 24-1602 (7th Cir. July 18, 2025) 

• reissuing BIA decisions to petition for review; ineffective assistance of counsel; Lozada  

Goncalves Leao v. Bondi, No. 24-1239 (1st Cir. July 14, 2025) 

• exceptional and extremely unusual hardship review; child with drug issues; Monreal; absence of medical expert 

Alay v. Bondi, No. 24-1299 (1st Cir. July 16, 2025) 

• hardship review; children knowing mother is in dangerous situation; individualized analysis; Guatemala 

7/15/25

Matter of E-Z-, 29 I&N Dec. 123 (BIA 2025). 

• CAT protection; returnees from the United States; anti Ukraine war political opinion; detention in Russia 

Matter of Gonzalez Jimenez, 29 I&N Dec. 129 (BIA 2025) 

• discretion; adverse factors; DUI; false tax information; false social security number; relying on advice of professionals 

Matter of S-S-, 29 I&N Dec. 136 (BIA 2025) 

• CAT protection; prison conditions in Haiti; anecdotal torture; mental health in Haiti; specific intent to torture 

Castejon-Paz and Cerrato-Barahona v. Bondi, Nos. 22-6024, 22-6349 (2d Cir. July 8, 2025) 

• withholding of removal review; claims processing rule; 30-day petition for review deadline; reinstatement; final order of removal; no-reasonable fear challenge; Riley 

Garcia-Pascual v. Bondi, No. 20-2529 (8th Cir. July 7, 2025) 

• economic hardship; difficulty of child visiting father abroad; non-LPR cancellation of removal  

7/10/25

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7/8/25

Tipan Lopez v. Att'y Gen. U.S., No. 24-1444 (3d Cir. June 30, 2025) 

• nexus; subordinate; religion; Evangelical Christian; M-R-M-S-; incorporation of international law; no animus requirement; fervent but unsuccessful resistance to torture can be acquiescence; Ecuador 

Matter of A-A-F-V-, 29 I&N Dec. 118 (BIA 2025) 

• suspected gang members with tattoos; bisexual individuals; state exception policy in El Salvador; prison conditions; sharing criminal information with El Salvador;  standard of review; use of statistical information 

Lanoue v. Att’y Gen. U.S., No. 24-2583 (3d Cir. July 1, 2025) 

• deceit; INA § 101(a)(43)(M)(i); 18 U.S.C. § 287; 18 U.S.C. § 2; false claims to Veterans Affairs; $10,000 amount; restitution; retroactive INA § 212(h) waiver; not an applicant for admission when under investigation  

7/1/25

Trump, et al. v. Casa, Inc., et al., No. 24-884 (U.S. June 27, 2025) 

•  injunctive relief in immigration cases

Riley v. Bondi, No. 23-1270 (U.S. June 26, 2025) 

• withholding of removal review; claims processing rule; 30-day petition for review deadline; FARO; final order of removal

Lainez v. Bondi, No. 21-6386 (2d Cir. June 23, 2025) 

• derivative citizenship; former INA § 321(a); establishing paternity through legitimation; Loper Bright; statutory interpretation; affirmative acts to establish paternity

Matter of Mayorga Ipina, 29 I&N Dec. 110 (BIA 2025) 

• CIMT; mandatory detention; bond; lewd and lascivious conduct; indecent exposure

Matter of C-I-R-H- & H-S-V-R-, 29 I&N Dec. 114 (BIA 2025) 

• nexus; identity of persecutors unknown; motive

Zalaya Orellana v. Bondi, No. 24-1111 (4th Cir. June 24, 2025) 

• reserved cancellation of removal grant; 4,000 cap; OPPM 17-04; Accardi Doctrine; 8 C.F.R. § 1240.21

Xiquin Xirum v. Bondi, No. 24-1413 (1st Cir. June 25, 2025) 

• cancellation of removal; exceptional and extremely unusual hardship; normal hardship to children
• Immigrants' List

Mejia Ponce, et al. v. U.S. Att’y Gen., No. 23-14124 (11th Cir. June 23, 2025) 

• particular social group definition post-Loper Bright; prior panel’s alternative holding; limiting principles

Gurkirat Singh v. Bondi, No. 24-3091 (7th Cir. June 24, 2025) 

• low-level Mann party Sikh asylum claim; reasonable relocation as mixed question of law and fact; Matter of Burbano; India

6/24/25

Gonzalez Castillo v. Bondi, No. 24-3631 (6th Cir. June 18, 2025)

• crime of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect; conviction after naturalization; denaturalization; statutory interpretation; rule of lenity; “is convicted”

Matter of Roque-Izada, 29 I&N Dec. 106 (BIA 2025)

• termination of removal proceedings; parole; Cuban Adjustment Act; C.F.R. § 1003.18(d); Cabrera Fernandez; parole

Lemus-Escobar v. Bondi, No. 18-73423 (9th Cir. June 16, 2025)

• mental health; attorney not necessarily adequate safeguard; CIMT; NACARA; Loper Bright; shooting a firearm at an inhabited dwelling in violation of Cal. Pen. Code § 246; attorney withdrawal of asylum application; motion to reopen and discretion; withholding, CAT, and mental health facilities in Guatemala

6/17/25

Li v. Bondi, No. 18-70278 (9th Cir. June 10, 2025)

• ineffective assistance of counsel before the circuit court; failure to file brief; motion for BIA to reissue decision; BIA failure to give reasoned consideration

De Souza Silva, et al. v. Bondi, No. 24-834 (9th Cir. June 11, 2025)

• past persecution; inability to practice religion freely; internal relocation; practicing religion in secret; Candomblé; Brazil

Matter of E-Y-F-G-, 29 I&N Dec. 103 (BIA 2025)

• bond; flight risk despite grant of withholding of removal; Laken Riley implications

Grey v. USCIS, No. 23-1910 (4th Cir. June 10, 2025)

• false testimony during deposition; good moral character for naturalization; FOIA exemption 7(E); evidentiary exclusion for discovery violations

Antonio de Paz-Peraza v. Bondi, No. 24-2854 (7th Cir. June 9, 2025)

• nexus; young Salvadoran males; gang recruitment; MS-13; El Salvador

Toalombo Yanez v. Bondi, No. 22-6267 (2d Cir. June 13, 2025)

• exceptional and extremely unusual hardship review; Wilkinson; clear error; serious medical condition standard; retroactivity 

6/10/25

Hadwan v. Dept. of State, No. 22-1624 (2d Cir. June 3, 2025)

• revocation of Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA); revocation of passport abroad; CRBA revocation hearing; APA; due process; signed statement where signatory does not speak English; Office of Inspector General report against State Department officer

Matter of B-N-K-, 29 I&N Dec. 96 (BIA 2025)

• administrative closure; 8 C.F.R. § 1003.18; Matter of W-Y-U; recalendaring; TPS; persuasive reason for removal proceedings to  be resolved on the merits

Singh v. Bondi, No. 22-6077 (2d Cir. June 3, 2025)

• credibility; border interview; REAL ID Act; I-213; Ramsameachire factors; Sikh; India

Linares-Rivas v. Bondi, 24-60186 (5th Cir. June 3, 2025)

• no jurisdiction to review non-LPR cancellation of removal discretion finding; exhaustion; issue raised in notice of appeal but not in BIA brief

Hsieh v. Bondi, No. 24-1013 (4th Cir. June 4, 2025)

• sexual abuse of a minor; coercion or enticement of a minor under 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b); crime of child abuse; Esquivel-Quintana; mens rea; attempt

6/3/25

Castaneira v. Noem, No. 23-5204 (D.C.C. May 30, 2025)

• Adam Walsh Act; no risk determination; Matter of Chawathe; specified offense against a minor; preponderance of the evidence standard

Matter of Beltrand-Rodriguez, 29 I&N Dec. 76 (BIA 2025)

• bond; danger; de novo review; sexual conduct against a child

Matter of Bain, 29 I&N Dec. 72 (BIA 2025)

• discretion for non-LPR cancellation of removal

Matter of D-E-B-, 29 I&N Dec. 83 (BIA 2025)

• motion to reopen; discretion; VAWA cancellation of removal; ineffective assistance of counsel; substantial compliance with Lozada; purpose of bar complaint requirement

Matter of N-N-B-, 29 I&N Dec. 79 (BIA 2025)

• CAT; forced military conscription in Russia; series of suppositions

Matter of Lopez-Ticas, 29 I&N Dec. 90 (BIA 2025)

• deficient NTA; egregious circumstances to permit withdrawing admissions and concessions; timely assertion of claims processing rule; retroactivity; change in law

Sarkisov v. Bondi, No. 25-0140 (6th Cir. May 29, 2025)

• stay of removal; Nken; denial despite non-opposition from the government

Hamilton v. U.S. Att'y Gen., No. 23-14095 (11th Cir. May 29, 2025)

• deficient NTA and continuous residence for INA § 212(h); initiation of proceedings; Niz Chavez and equitable tolling for motion to reopen

Pietersen, et al. v. Dept. of State, et al., No. 24-5092 (D.C.C. May 30, 2025)

• avoiding doctrine of consular non-reviewability; K-1 visa; erroneous standard for future visa petitions; INA § 201(g); fraud or willful misrepresentation; reason to believe; INA § 212(a)(6)(C)(i)

5/27/25

Xia v. Bondi, No. 24-2304 (2d Cir. May 19, 2025)

• Patel; no jurisdiction to review USCIS denial of adjustment of status

United States v. Doe, No. 22-14307 (11th Cir. May 21, 2025)

• criminal penalties under 8 U.S.C. § 1253(a)(1) for obstructing his removal or not cooperating with the procedures for obtaining travel out of the country; INA § 237(a); no requirement for admission; IIRIRA legislative history; deportation and exclusion 

Ramos Goncalves v. Bondi, No. 24-1511 (1st Cir. May 20, 2025)

• untimely petition for review; post hoc extension; prison mailbox rule

Gonzalez-Juarez v. Bondi, No. 21-927 (9th Cir. May 20, 2025)

• exceptional and extremely unusual hardship; Wilkinson; standard of review; substantial evidence; Loper Bright; hardship in Mexico

  Singh-Kar v. Bondi, No. 22-6309 (2d Cir. May 21, 2025)

• unable or unwilling to protect; ineffective assistance of counsel; Badal Party; Mann party; Sikh asylum claim; India

5/20/25

Matter of F-B-G-M- & J-E-M-G-, 29 I&N Dec. 52 (BIA 2025)

• rebuttable presumption that email notifications sent via ECAS reach their recipient; equitable tolling of briefing deadlines

Matter of M-S-I-, 29 I&N Dec. 61 (BIA 2025)

• unable or unwilling to protect; acquiesce; generalized corruption; failure to report harm; Maoists; Nepal

Matter of Q. Li, 29 I&N Dec. 66 (BIA 2025)

• mandatory detention; alien arriving; applicant for admission; parole; INA § 235(b)(2)(A)

Soto Santos v. Bondi, No. 24-1733 (8th Cir. May 12, 2025)

• motion to remand; prima facie case for relief; hardship showing; enforcement priorities 

Mohamed v. Bondi, No. 23-2556 (8th Cir. May 12, 2025)

• competency; mental health; fundamental procedural error; INA § 242(a)(2)(C)