Kim v. Blanche — 5th Cir. (Oct 7, 2026)
The Fifth Circuit hears Kim versus Blanche. Kim, a Russian citizen, came to the United States in April two thousand twenty-four seeking protection from return to Russia. He was detained, and an immigration judge granted him asylum that year. After the government appealed, the case went back to the immigration judge, who again found him eligible for asylum in two thousand twenty-five. The Board of Immigration Appeals then overturned the grant of relief and ordered his removal to Russia. Kim asked the Fifth Circuit to review that order, and the court put his removal on hold while it considered his petition. Firm resettlement can bar asylum when someone had an offer to settle permanently in another country before arriving here, subject to limited exceptions. In the recording, IJ means immigration judge, BIA means Board of Immigration Appeals, and CAT means Convention Against Torture. Kohsei Ugumori will speak for the government.
Kim v. Blanche (No. 25-60617) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, argued October 7, 2026.
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