Safarov v. Blanche — 9th Cir. (Aug 7, 2026)
The Ninth Circuit reviews the denial of a Russian family's motion to reopen removal proceedings. An earlier Ninth Circuit ruling upheld the denial of their asylum claim. The family now contends that later evidence shows materially changed conditions for Meskhetian Turks in Russia, while the Board of Immigration Appeals found continuity. The question is whether the Board adequately explained that conclusion or abused its discretion.
Safarov v. Blanche (No. 25-3147) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, argued August 7, 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/2026/08/07/25-3147.mp3
Argument listing — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit:https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/cases/streams-videos/archive?case=25-3147&hearingDate=2026-08-07
Argument calendar — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit:https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/cases/calendar/calendar-week/?date=2026-08-07&loc=SE
Safarov v. Garland memorandum — Ninth Circuit:https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/memoranda/2024/11/06/24-93.pdf
Safarov v. Garland docket — Justia:https://dockets.justia.com/docket/circuit-courts/ca9/24-93
Lisa Anderson — State Bar of California:https://apps.calbar.ca.gov/attorney/Licensee/Detail/204694
Lisa Anderson — Varzandeh Anderson:https://www.varzandehanderson.com/who-we-are.php?disable_mobile=true
Raya Jarawan — U.S. Courts opinion record at GovInfo:https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-ca6-25-03337/pdf/USCOURTS-ca6-25-03337-0.pdf
Raya Jarawan — Ninth Circuit opinion record at GovInfo:https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-ca9-17-72212/pdf/USCOURTS-ca9-17-72212-0.pdf
Published-opinion search — Ninth Circuit:https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/opinions/
Memorandum-disposition search — Ninth Circuit:https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/decisions/memoranda/
- 0:00Introduction
- 0:31Lisa Anderson
- 17:20Raya Jarawan