Hector Bonilla Bustillo v. John Roessler — 4th Cir. (Oct 30, 2026)

No. 25-2084 Argued October 30, 2026 Published October 30, 2026

The Fourth Circuit hears Hector Bonilla Bustillo's challenge to the immigration agency's denial of a replacement green card. The district court entered judgment for the agency, and he is asking the appeals court to reverse that result. A green card is evidence of lawful permanent residence. Temporary passport stamps, called ADIT stamps, can also document that status. But proof of status and the decision granting status are two different things. The adjustment-of-status regulation requires notice of the director's decision, and records residence as of the approval date. Keep that distinction in mind as the lawyers discuss approval notices, passport stamps, and internal paperwork. Under the Administrative Procedure Act, courts may set aside agency action that is arbitrary, capricious, or contrary to law.

Hector Bonilla Bustillo v. John Roessler (No. 25-2084) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, argued October 30, 2026.

Sources

Argument audio — official Fourth Circuit recording:https://www.ca4.uscourts.gov/OAarchive/mp3/25-2084-20261030.mp3

Case and argument date — official Fourth Circuit audio listing:https://www.ca4.uscourts.gov/oral-argument/oral-argument-audio-files

Case background and ruling challenged — official hearing synopsis, page 17:https://www.ca4.uscourts.gov/cal/internetcalOct272026.pdf

Adjustment decisions and recording residence — 8 C.F.R. § 245.2(a)(5):https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/8/245.2

Replacement Green Cards and temporary evidence — 8 C.F.R. § 264.5:https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/8/264.5

ADIT stamps as temporary evidence — USCIS bulletin, March 16, 2023:https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCIS/bulletins/34f27df

Agency judicial review — 5 U.S.C. § 706:https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/706

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