⚖ Oral Arguments, with Context

The Fifth Circuit considers whether Peniel Olibris's firearms-smuggling conviction makes him removable under an immigration provision covering prohibited exports. Olibris admitted helping buy seventy-seven firearms and export fifty to Haiti in cars. He says neighboring references to espionage, sabotage, terrorism, and genocide limit it to conduct affecting national security or public safety, and the agency made no such finding. The government says any prohibited export is enough. Olibris also challenges the denial of Convention Against Torture protection and the immigration judge's use of outside evidence after the record closed. On August fourteenth, the court denied his petition. The majority read the export clause broadly and upheld the other rulings; Judge King dissented on the statute's scope.

Olibris v. Blanche (No. 25-60322) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, argued August 5, 2026.