Another piece of good news from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Morozova v. Blanche, No. 25-4067, is being considered for an upcoming oral argument calendar in Pasadena. The Ninth Circuit has advised counsel that the case is being considered for a 2027 Pasadena sitting and has requested that the parties identify any scheduling conflicts....
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On September 16, 2026, I had the opportunity to argue Fertikh v. Blanche, No. 25-7834, before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Pasadena, California. Arguing before the Ninth Circuit was a memorable professional experience. The Pasadena courthouse itself adds to the atmosphere—the beautiful historic building, with its colonial-style architecture and impressive interior, provides a striking setting for a federal appellate argument. The appeal raises important questions concerning procedural due process in immigration proceedings, including adequate notice, denial of a continuance, and whether a respondent was provided a meaningful opportunity to prepare and present his case. For me, one of...
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Immigration bond hearings are highly unpredictable under the current administration. Many families believe that if a detained noncitizen has no criminal record, no convictions, and a pending immigration case, release on bond should be straightforward....
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In today’s entertainment industry, filmmakers frequently look for the fastest and cheapest possible title report before submitting a project to festivals, distributors, streaming platforms, or E&O insurance carriers. At first glance, low-cost “instant” title search companies appear attractive: $99 reports, same-day turnaround, automated trademark searches, and promises of “quick clearance.” For independent filmmakers working with tight budgets, this may sound practical....
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In recent months, federal habeas corpus litigation has become one of the most important tools for immigrants held in prolonged immigration detention. Across the United States, immigration detainees and their attorneys increasingly turn to federal district courts when bond hearings before immigration judges fail to provide meaningful due process protections....
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The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has notified the parties that the case of Fertikh v. Blanche is being considered for oral argument during the Pasadena sitting calendar in September 2026. Consideration for oral argument is a significant procedural development in a federal appellate case. In many immigration appeals, matters are decided solely on the written briefs. When a case is considered for oral argument, it may indicate that the Court wishes to examine the legal and factual issues in greater depth through direct questioning of counsel. Our client, Anton Fertikh, is an asylum seeker from Russia and...
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Under the ACA framework, the government would argue that a person should not be allowed to seek asylum in the United States because they passed through another country and could have applied there. These arguments were tied to a specific regulatory structure and were relatively straightforward in how they were presented in court. Today, those arguments have largely receded from day-to-day practice. This has created an impression that immigration courts may be returning to a more traditional process, where each applicant has a full hearing and an opportunity to explain their case in detail. In practice, that has not happened. Instead of...
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As a lawyer who represents clients in immigration courts, I often see something surprising happen during asylum hearings. Cases that begin as administrative proceedings sometimes evolve into something that feels almost like a full-blown criminal trial—the kind of intense litigation people associate with famous courtroom battles such as the O. J. Simpson murder trial....
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For thousands of asylum seekers trying to navigate the U.S. immigration system, one reality stands out: immigration court is not like other courts. Despite its name, it does not operate under the protections and structure of the independent judiciary. Instead, it functions as a politicized administrative system — one that often delivers wildly inconsistent results, lacks impartial safeguards, and places even strong legal claims at risk of being denied over minor procedural missteps....
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Today is July 20, 2025. We all know what is going on in our country right now. Fear, uncertainty, and anxiety continue to grip immigrant communities across the United States. ICE is arresting people — not just those with criminal records, but also those who have applied for asylum and are legally waiting for a decision. These are individuals who followed the law, showed up to court, checked in with ICE, and complied with every legal requirement. And yet, they are treated as if they were fugitives....
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