⚖ Oral Arguments, with Context

The Ninth Circuit hears Anton Fertikh's challenge to the denial of asylum. Fertikh, a Russian asylum seeker, says antiwar and anti-corruption activity put him at risk of persecution. He prepared for the hearing from immigration custody and appeared pro se. He expected a master-calendar hearing, but says the immigration judge instead held the merits hearing and refused more time to gather evidence. The judge denied relief, and the Board of Immigration Appeals dismissed his appeal. A master-calendar hearing normally handles pleadings and scheduling; a merits hearing takes evidence and decides whether relief should be granted. Fertikh argues that inadequate notice and the denied continuance kept him from fully presenting his case. The court will consider abuse of discretion and due process: the first examines the circumstances behind the continuance ruling, while due process also requires prejudice, meaning the alleged error may have affected the outcome.

Anton Fertikh v. Todd Blanche (No. 25-7834) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, argued September 16, 2026.