Orozco Aguilar v. Blanche — 9th Cir. (argued July 10, 2026)

No. 21-1288 Argued July 10, 2026 Published August 21, 2026

The Ninth Circuit hears Orozco Aguilar versus Blanche. Yenifer Orozco Aguilar sought asylum after a Guatemalan gang threatened to kill her daughter unless she paid. Her appeal asks whether her relatives' safety undermined her fear of returning, even though they moved often and hired guards. Alex Hazel of Bailey Immigration represents Orozco Aguilar and will argue that the record requires the agency to recognize a well-founded fear of future persecution. Government counsel will argue that the family's continued safety permits the agency's denial. After this argument, a divided panel denied the petition. Judge Berzon agreed on the other claims but would have sent the asylum claim back for the agency to consider the family's private security and restricted movement.

Orozco Aguilar v. Blanche (No. 21-1288) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, argued July 10, 2026.

Sources

Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105):https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/media/2026/07/10/21-1288.mp3

Argument listing — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit:https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/cases/streams-videos/archive?case=21-1288&hearingDate=2026-07-10

Argument video — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2skdgdmLOnY

Memorandum disposition — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit:https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/memoranda/2026/08/03/21-1288.pdf

Alexander Charles Hazel — Oregon State Bar:https://www.osbar.org/members/membersearch_display.asp?b=196358

Alex Hazel — Bailey Immigration:https://baileyimmigration.com/attorneys/alex-hazel/

0:00Introduction