

Immigration Review
Kevin A. Gregg, Esq. (kgregg@kktplaw.com)
A weekly podcast of immigration case summaries and practice insights from your host, Kevin A. Gregg, a partner at the law firm Kurzban Kurzban Tetzeli & Pratt P.A. Each Tuesday, the Immigration Review podcast reviews the latest published opinions from the U.S. Supreme Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and all U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals—discussing some in depth, providing holdings for others, and always giving practical insights, rummaging through the week’s decisions so you don’t have to. *Read about your host and the KKTP law firm here: https://www.kktplaw.com/attorney/gregg-kevin-a/
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 14, 2026 • 33min
Ep. 311 - Precedential Decisions: 4/6/2026 - 04/12/2026 (FARO; Riley; ICE emails; termination; in absentia; ICE non-appearance in court; particular social group exhaustion; nexus; pro se exhaustion; mootness; deficient Form I-693)
Velazquez-Olais v. Blanche, No. 25-1244 (7th Cir. Apr. 6, 2026) FARO; Riley; ICE emails; review of ICE decision refusing to reopen FARO Matter of Bolivar-Bolivar, 29 I&N Dec. 548 (BIA 2026) termination; in absentia; DHS burden to prove alienage; DHS need not appear; Tepec-Garcia Gamas-Vicente v. Blanche, No. 25-3415 (6th Cir. Apr. 7, 2026) particular social group exhaustion; due process and interpreters; new particular social group on petition for review Santana Gonzalez v. Blanche, No. 16-70793 (9th Cir. Apr. 8, 2026) asylum; nexus; pro se exhaustion; Ninth Circuit stay policies Mukhtar v. Lambrecht, et al., No. 24-1451 (10th Cir. Apr. 8, 2026) mootness; denial of adjustment based on deficient Form I-693; Class B medical issue; action capable of repetition yet evading review; voluntary cessation Kurzban Kurzban Tetzeli and Pratt P.A.Immigration, serious injury, and business lawyers serving clients in Florida, California, and all over the world for over 40 years.eimmigration"Immigration law software you’ll love to use."get.eimmigration.com/IRP Gonzales & Gonzales Immigration BondsP: (833) 409-9200immigrationbond.com EB-5 Support"EB-5 Support is an ongoing mentorship and resource platform created specifically for immigration attorneys."Contact: info@eb-5support.comWebsite: https://eb-5support.com/Stafi"Remote staffing solutions for businesses of all sizes"Click me!The Pen and SwordClick me!Discount code: ImmigrationReview26 Want to become a patron?Click here to check out our Patreon Page!CONTACT INFORMATION:Email: kgregg@kktplaw.comFacebook: @immigrationreviewInstagram: @immigrationreviewTwitter: @immreviewAbout your hostCase notesRecent criminal-immigration article (p.18)Featured in San Diego VoyagerSupport the show

Apr 7, 2026 • 54min
Ep. 310 - Precedential Decisions: 3/30/2026 - 04/5/2026 (I-864 lawsuit; equitable tolling & stateless people; reinstatement; drug trafficking; medical and psychological hardship; VAWA cancellation; notice of appeal specificity; I-601A; fake cases)
Circuit round up (extra cases)!NOID sent to wrong address; I-864 lawsuit; diversity visa lawsuitEskilian v. Bondi, No. 20-72157 (9th Cir. Apr. 2, 2026)due diligence for stateless people; no Lozada where ineffective assistance of counsel plain; Cal. Pen. Code § 1473.7 vacatur; equitable tolling of time and number bar; Soviet Armenia Verduzco Ruiz v. Bondi, No. 18-71787 (9th Cir. Apr. 1, 2026) reinstatement; right to counsel; due process; prejudice; IIRIRA retroactivity United States v. Casildo, No. 23-35483 (9th Cir. Mar. 31, 2026)sale of controlled substances in violation of Nev. Rev. Stat. § 453.321(1)(a); indivisibility; sentence enhancement; INA § 101(a)(43)(B); drug trafficking aggravated felony Matter of Valenzuela Gallardo, 29 I&N Dec. 536 (BIA 2026)aggravated felony relating to obstruction of justice; INA § 101(a)(43)(S); Cal. Penal Code § 32; Pugin; mens rea and related statutes; specific intent; relating to; actus reas; misprison of a felony Matter of Pelagio Mendoza, 29 I&N Dec. 542 (BIA 2026)medical and psychological hardship; evidentiary burdens; HIPPA regulations; considering immigration status of other parent; need for expert evidence Cardenas v. Att'y Gen. U.S., No. 25-1522 (3d Cir. Mar. 31, 2026)VAWA cancellation of removal; immigration status of the abuser; statutory interpretation; “is or was”; Matt of L-L-P-; present tense; present perfect tense; exceptional and extremely unusual hardship Quijano-Duran v. Bondi, No. 24-2457 (8th Cir. Apr. 2, 2026)notice of appeal requirements before the BIA; due process; judicial bias; DHS enforcement priority Dec v. Mullin, No. 25-2417 (7th Cir. Mar. 30, 2026)jurisdiction; I-601A; satisfaction of the Attorney General; INA § 212(a)(9)(B)(v); ChatGPT; fake case citationKurzban Kurzban Tetzeli and Pratt P.A.Immigration, serious injury, and business lawyers serving clients in Florida, California, and all over the world for over 40 years.eimmigration"Immigration law software you’ll love to use."get.eimmigration.com/IRP Gonzales & Gonzales Immigration BondsP: (833) 409-9200immigrationbond.com EB-5 Support"EB-5 Support is an ongoing mentorship and resource platform created specifically for immigration attorneys."Contact: info@eb-5support.comWebsite: https://eb-5support.com/Stafi"Remote staffing solutions for businesses of all sizes"Click me!The Pen and SwordClick me!Discount code: ImmigrationReview26Email: kgregg@kktplaw.comSupport the show

Apr 2, 2026 • 1h 18min
Special Episode Interview with Homero López - former Appellate Immigration Judge, and current ISLA Legal Director
Email and Links!hlopez@islaimmigration.orgImmigration Services & Legal AdvocacyClick me to Donate to ISLAKurzban Kurzban Tetzeli and Pratt P.A.Immigration, serious injury, and business lawyers serving clients in Florida, California, and all over the world for over 40 years.eimmigration"Immigration law software you’ll love to use."get.eimmigration.com/IRP Gonzales & Gonzales Immigration BondsP: (833) 409-9200immigrationbond.com EB-5 Support"EB-5 Support is an ongoing mentorship and resource platform created specifically for immigration attorneys."Contact: info@eb-5support.comWebsite: https://eb-5support.com/Stafi"Remote staffing solutions for businesses of all sizes"Click me!The Pen and SwordClick me!Discount code: ImmigrationReview26 Want to become a patron?Click here to check out our Patreon Page!CONTACT INFORMATION:Email: kgregg@kktplaw.comFacebook: @immigrationreviewInstagram: @immigrationreviewTwitter: @immreviewAbout your hostCase notesRecent criminal-immigration article (p.18)Featured in San Diego VoyagerSupport the show

Mar 31, 2026 • 48min
Ep. 309 - Precedential Decisions: 3/23/2026 - 03/29/2026 (mandatory detention for EWIs; reliability of I-213s; termination; IJ can't assert deficient NTA; CIMT & one year or longer sentence; attempted use of physical force; reasonable fear jurisdiction)
Herrera Avila v. Bondi, et al., No. 25-3248 (8th Cir. Mar. 25, 2026)mandatory detention for all EWIs; redundant and superfluous statutory interpretation; Hurtado; seeking admission; INA § 235(a)(2)(B); Laken Riley Act; Buenrostro-Mendez Matter of Mercado-Martinez, 29 I&N Dec. 529 (BIA 2026)reliability of Form I-213; termination; presumption of reliability; establishing alienage; rebutting § 212 charge Matter of Lopez-Orellana, 29 I&N Dec. 533 (BIA 2026) IJ cannot assert deficient NTA claims processing rule; in absentia Perdomo Ulloa v. Bondi, No. 22-1724 (4th Cir. Mar. 25, 2026)CIMT; Va. Code § 18.2-186.3(A)(2); Class 1 misdemeanor; for which a sentence of one year or longer may be imposed; non-LPR cancellation United States v. Chavez-Echeverria, No. 24-4723 (9th Cir. Mar. 25, 2026)Oregon attempted first-degree assault, Or. Rev. Stat. §§ 163.185(1)(a), 161.405; attempted use of physical force; substantial step Navarrete v. Bondi, No. 24-2776 (9th Cir. Mar. 23, 2026)Riley; review of negative reasonable fear finding; final order of removal; CAT review post-reinstatementKurzban Kurzban Tetzeli and Pratt P.A.Immigration, serious injury, and business lawyers serving clients in Florida, California, and all over the world for over 40 years.eimmigration"Immigration law software you’ll love to use."get.eimmigration.com/IRP Gonzales & Gonzales Immigration BondsP: (833) 409-9200immigrationbond.com EB-5 Support"EB-5 Support is an ongoing mentorship and resource platform created specifically for immigration attorneys."Contact: info@eb-5support.comWebsite: https://eb-5support.com/Stafi"Remote staffing solutions for businesses of all sizes"Click me!The Pen and SwordClick me!Discount code: ImmigrationReview26 Want to become a patron?Click here to check out our Patreon Page!CONTACT INFORMATION:Email: kgregg@kktplaw.comFacebook: @immigrationreviewInstagram: @immigrationreviewTwitter: @immreviewAbout your hostCase notesRecent criminal-immigration article (p.18)Featured in San Diego VoyagerSupport the show

Mar 24, 2026 • 39min
Ep. 308 - Precedential Decisions from 3/16/2026 - 3/22/2026 (Padilla ineffective assistance & near-certain removal; qualifying relative age out; hardship; non-attorney ineffective assistance; sua sponte reopening jx; receipt of stolen property agg fel)
United States v. Aguayo-Montes, No. 24-4072 (10th Cir. Mar. 17, 2026)Padilla; ineffective assistance of counsel; affirmative misadvice; duty to inform of near certain removal; prima facie prejudice; insufficiency of plea warnings; affidavits; Matter of Arevalo-Vargas, 29 I&N Dec. 519 (BIA 2026)qualifying relative child ageing out during appeal; exceptional and extremely unusual hardship; children forced to pay for schooling Matter of Z-R-C-N-, 29 I&N Dec. 523 (BIA 2026)ineffective assistance of counsel against non-attorney; prima facie; domestic violence, family group, and asylum nexus; social distinction; approved SIJ; reopening Hodzic v. Bondi, No. 24-1204 (1st Cir. Mar. 19, 2026)sua sponte reopening; Niz Chavez; fundamental change in law; exceptional situation different from exceptional circumstances; BIA failure to explain; Loper Bright inapplicable; procedural due process; substantive due process right to remain with family Hassan v. Bondi, No. 25-1049 (7th Cir. Mar. 16, 2026)receipt of stolen property aggravated felony; Kentucky mens rea; constructive knowledge; ostrich defense; K.R.S. §§ 514.110, 506.010; certified questionKurzban Kurzban Tetzeli and Pratt P.A.Immigration, serious injury, and business lawyers serving clients in Florida, California, and all over the world for over 40 years.eimmigration"Immigration law software you’ll love to use."get.eimmigration.com/IRP Gonzales & Gonzales Immigration BondsP: (833) 409-9200immigrationbond.com EB-5 Support"EB-5 Support is an ongoing mentorship and resource platform created specifically for immigration attorneys."Contact: info@eb-5support.comWebsite: https://eb-5support.com/Stafi"Remote staffing solutions for businesses of all sizes"Click me!The Pen and SwordClick me!Discount code: ImmigrationReview26 Want to become a patron?Click here to check out our Patreon Page!CONTACT INFORMATION:Email: kgregg@kktplaw.comFacebook: @immigrationreviewInstagram: @immigrationreviewTwitter: @immreviewAbout your hostCase notesRecent criminal-immigration article (p.18)Featured in San Diego VoyagerSupport the show

Mar 17, 2026 • 1h
Ep. 307 - Precedential Decisions from 3/9/2026 - 3/15/2026 (material support of terrorism waiver; fraud and application withdrawal; continuance & SIJ; admin closure & I-601A; flight risk & bond; past persecution; hardship; CSPA; age-out; F2A to F1)
Sufiyan v. Bondi, No. 22-6392 (2d. Cir. Mar. 12, 2026)material support of terrorism waiver; duress; requirement to decide asylum and withholding of removal eligibility in the alternative Matter of Texperts, Inc., 29 I&N Dec. 491 (AAO 2026)fraud finding after withdrawal of application or petition; timely retraction; multiple H-1B petitions for same beneficiary; distinction between fraud or willful misrepresentation and remand for that reason; closely scrutinize fraud Matter of Pinzon Rozo, 29 I&N Dec. 507 (BIA 2026)continuance with approved SIJ petition; Visa Bulletin and wait times; DHS’s interest in resolving removal proceedings Matter of Z-N-L-, 29 I&N Dec. 511 (BIA 2026)address discrepancy; flight risk; bond; sponsor affidavit but failure to establish relationship Matter of Medina Madrid, 29 I&N Dec. 514 (BIA 2026)re calendaring; administrative closure; I-601A not filed yet Maldonado-Ruiz v. Bondi, No. 25-1448 (1st Cir. Mar. 10, 2026)past persecution; nexus; sexual orientation Alonso-Juarez v. Bondi, No. 24-2476 (8th Cir. Mar. 12, 2026)exceptional and extremely unusual hardship; substantial evidence review; ability to work in Mexico Dekovic, et al. v. Rubio, et al., No. 24-1431 (10th Cir. Mar. 10, 2026)CSPA; age-out; F2A to F1 reclassification; final agency action for APA lawsuit; 8 U.S.C. § 1151(f)(2); statutory purpose; legislative history of unanimous bipartisan Congress Kurzban Kurzban Tetzeli and Pratt P.A.Immigration, serious injury, and business lawyers serving clients in Florida, California, and all over the world for over 40 years.eimmigration"Immigration law software you’ll love to use."get.eimmigration.com/IRP Gonzales & Gonzales Immigration BondsP: (833) 409-9200immigrationbond.com EB-5 Support"EB-5 Support is an ongoing mentorship and resource platform created specifically for immigration attorneys."Contact: info@eb-5support.comWebsite: https://eb-5support.com/Stafi"Remote staffing solutions for businesses of all sizes"Click me!The Pen and SwordClick me!Discount code: ImmigrationReview26 Want to become a patron?Click here to check out our Patreon Page!CONTACT INFORMATION:Email: kgregg@kktplaw.comFacebook: @immigrationreviewInstagram: @immigrationreviewTwitter: @immreviewAbout your hostSupport the show

Mar 10, 2026 • 45min
Ep. 306 - Precedential Decisions from 3/2/2026 - 3/8/2026 (substantial evidence; past persecution; § 242(a)(2)(B)(ii) & pure question of law; expert reliability; fundamental change & asylum; fraud particularly serious crime; U-visa waiver jurisdiction)
Urias-Orellana v. Bondi, No. 24-777 (U.S. Mar. 4, 2026)substantial evidence; past persecution review; INA § 242(b); Guerro-Lasprila; Wilkinson; mixed question of law and fact Ortez Reyes v. USCIS, No. 25-1391 (4th Cir. Mar. 5, 2026)jurisdiction; 8 U.S.C. § 1252(a)(2)(B)(ii); INA § 242(a)(2)(B)(ii); pure question of law exempt; I-730; derivative asylum statute with removal order Matter of D-J-L-, 29 I&N Dec. 485 (BIA 2026)expert reliability; expert bias; criminal deportee; requirement that expert support their opinions with other evidence; indefinite detention; Haiti Matter of R-B-E-, 29 I&N Dec. 499 (BIA 2026)fundamental change; past persecution and rebuttable presumption; reliance on country condition evidence; Haitian gangs; Lavalas; BIA reaching legal issue it doesn’t have to; particularly serious crime; Conspiracy to Commit Access Device Fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1029(b)(2); identity theft Vera Chairez v. USCIS, No. 24-4137 (9th Cir. Mar. 5, 2026)8 U.S.C. § 1252(a)(2)(B)(ii); INA § 242(a)(2)(B)(ii); U visa waiver; INA § 212(d)(14); jurisdiction; Bourfa; discretion; ANA InternationalKurzban Kurzban Tetzeli and Pratt P.A.Immigration, serious injury, and business lawyers serving clients in Florida, California, and all over the world for over 40 years.eimmigration"Immigration law software you’ll love to use."get.eimmigration.com/IRP Gonzales & Gonzales Immigration BondsP: (833) 409-9200immigrationbond.com EB-5 Support"EB-5 Support is an ongoing mentorship and resource platform created specifically for immigration attorneys."Contact: info@eb-5support.comWebsite: https://eb-5support.com/Stafi"Remote staffing solutions for businesses of all sizes"Click me!The Pen and SwordClick me!Discount code: ImmigrationReview26 Want to become a patron?Click here to check out our Patreon Page!CONTACT INFORMATION:Email: kgregg@kktplaw.comFacebook: @immigrationreviewInstagram: @immigrationreviewTwitter: @immreviewAbout your hostCase notesRecent criminal-immigration article (p.18)Featured in San Diego VoyagerSupport the show

Mar 3, 2026 • 54min
Ep. 305 - Precedential Decisions from 2/23/2026 - 3/1/2026 (Florida attempted robbery; crime of violence; admission & 237(a)(1)(H) waiver; cruel legal interpretations; administrative closure & delay; past persecution; acquiescence; Mexican mental health)
United States v. Lightsey, No. 20-13682 (11th Cir. Feb. 26, 2026)Florida attempt crimes; attempted robbery in violation of Fla Stat § 812.13(2)(b); crime of violence; Taylor; cocaine; prior precedent rule; Abrada-Hechavarria et al. v. Bondi (11th Cir.) (separate parole issue (unpub)) Matter of Forjoe, 29 I&N Dec. 463 (BIA 2026)admission; INA § 237(a)(1)(H) waiver; discretion; retroactivity; extreme hardship; separation; long period of fraud Matter of Ibarra-Vega, 29 I&N Dec. 476 (BIA 2026)administrative closure; recalendaring; U visa; USCIS delay; CAP; thumb on the scale for DHS; separation of powers Da Silva-Queiroga v. Bondi, No. 25-1137 (1st Cir. Feb. 27, 2026)past-persecution; domestic violence asylum claim; remaining in country of harm; harm as a child; Brazil Garcia-Botello v. Bondi, No. 24-9507 (10th Cir. Feb. 25, 2026)government acquiescence; CAT; Mexican mental health facility; specific intent to torture; willful blindness FRIENDS OF THE POD:Kurzban Kurzban Tetzeli and Pratt P.A.Immigration, serious injury, and business lawyers serving clients in Florida, California, and all over the world for over 40 years.eimmigrationget.eimmigration.com/IRP Gonzales & Gonzales Immigration BondsP: (833) 409-9200immigrationbond.com EB-5 Support"EB-5 Support is an ongoing mentorship and resource platform created specifically for immigration attorneys."Contact: info@eb-5support.comWebsite: https://eb-5support.com/Stafi"Remote staffing solutions for businesses of all sizes"Click me!The Pen and SwordClick me!Discount code: ImmigrationReview26 Want to become a patron?Click here to check out our Patreon Page!CONTACT INFORMATION:Email: kgregg@kktplaw.comFacebook: @immigrationreviewInstagram: @immigrationreviewTwitter: @immreviewAbout your hostCase notesRecent criminal-immigration article (p.18)Featured in San Diego VoyagerSupport the show

Feb 24, 2026 • 42min
Ep. 304 - Precedential Decisions from 2/16/2026 - 2/22/2026 (aggravated felony rape; remand for biometrics; failure to report harm; conversion from Islam to Russian Orthodox; in absentia MTR; IAC; exhaustion; asylum despite adverse credibility)
Barrie v. U.S. Att'y Gen., No. 24-12504 (11th Cir. Feb. 19, 2026) aggravated felony rape definition; statutory interpretation; rule against superfluity; review of comparable federal statutes; attempted sexual abuse in violation of D.C. Code § 22-3002(a)(1); digital penetration Matter of L-S-C-R-, 29 I&N Dec. 451 (BIA 2026) remand for biometrics checks; interests of finality; 8 C.F.R. § 1003.47(h) Matter of F-B-A-, 29 I&N Dec. 456 (BIA 2026) failure to report harm; C-G-T-; conversion from Islam to Russian Orthodox Church; reasonable relocation; unable or unwilling; acquiesce, relocation, and CAT Irias v. Bondi, No. 25-1419 (8th Cir. Feb. 17, 2026) in absentia motion to reopen based on ineffective assistance of counsel; self reporting IAC; strict Lozada compliance Cante Mijangos v. Bondi, No. 25-1267 (1st Cir. Feb. 18, 2026) issue exhaustion; sexual abuse type asylum claim; nexus Khanal v. Bondi, No. 14-1572 (1st Cir. Feb. 18, 2026) asylum, withholding, and CAT grant despite adverse credibility; failure to consider evidence; credible death threats; Maoist extortion; Nepal Kurzban Kurzban Tetzeli and Pratt P.A.Immigration, serious injury, and business lawyers serving clients in Florida, California, and all over the world for over 40 years. Gonzales & Gonzales Immigration BondsP: (833) 409-9200immigrationbond.com EB-5 Support"EB-5 Support is an ongoing mentorship and resource platform created specifically for immigration attorneys."Contact: info@eb-5support.comWebsite: https://eb-5support.com/Stafi"Remote staffing solutions for businesses of all sizes"Click me!The Pen and SwordClick me!Discount code: ImmigrationReview26 Want to become a patron?Click here to check out our Patreon Page!CONTACT INFORMATION:Email: kgregg@kktplaw.comFacebook: @immigrationreviewInstagram: @immigrationreviewTwitter: @immreviewAbout your hostCase notesRecent criminal-immigration article (p.18)Featured in San Diego VoyagerSupport the show

Feb 17, 2026 • 42min
Ep. 303 - Precedential Decisions from 2/9/2026 - 2/15/2026 (former derivative citizenship; paternity through legitimation; Riley & PFR; marriage fraud; revoking I-130; mandatory detention for all EWIs; redundant & superfluous statutory interpretation)
Rene Lopez v. Bondi, No. 24-1208 (4th Cir. Feb. 13, 2026) derivative citizenship; former INA § 321(a); establishing paternity through legitimation; Loper Bright; statutory interpretation; affirmative acts to establish paternity; Riley; petition for review despite CAT remand Matter of Jin, 29 I&N Dec. 441 (BIA 2026) marriage fraud; annulment; revoking I-130 petition; BIA appeal two-years late; deposition transcripts; two-year untimely appeal Buenrostro-Mendez, et al. v. Bondi, et al., No. 25-20496 (5th Cir. Feb. 6, 2026) mandatory detention for all EWIs; redundant and superfluous statutory interpretation; Hurtado; seeking admission; INA § 235(a)(2)(B); Laken Riley Act Kurzban Kurzban Tetzeli and Pratt P.A.Immigration, serious injury, and business lawyers serving clients in Florida, California, and all over the world for over 40 years. Gonzales & Gonzales Immigration BondsP: (833) 409-9200immigrationbond.com EB-5 Support"EB-5 Support is an ongoing mentorship and resource platform created specifically for immigration attorneys."Contact: info@eb-5support.comWebsite: https://eb-5support.com/Stafi"Remote staffing solutions for businesses of all sizes"Click me!The Pen and SwordClick me!Discount code: ImmigrationReview26 Want to become a patron?Click here to check out our Patreon Page!CONTACT INFORMATION:Email: kgregg@kktplaw.comFacebook: @immigrationreviewInstagram: @immigrationreviewTwitter: @immreviewAbout your hostCase notesRecent criminal-immigration article (p.18)Featured in San Diego VoyagerSupport the show


