Case Explained: BLANCA SOTO V. TODD BLANCHE

Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Filed: 2026-06-29 The Ninth Circuit denied Blanca Soto’s petition for review of a Board of Immigration Appeals order affirming an Immigration Judge’s denial of her applications for asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT). The court held that substantial evidence supported the adverse credibility determination against Soto due to material inconsistencies and omissions between her declaration and testimony, including her failure to mention her brother’s kidnapping in her written statement. Because her testimony was found not credible, the court further held that she failed to meet her burden of proof for withholding of removal under 8 U.S.C. § 1231(b)(3)(A) or CAT protection under 8 C.F.R. § 1208.16(c)(2). Additionally, the court found no abuse of discretion in the Immigration Judge’s denial of a continuance to pursue a U-Visa, noting that Soto had already received multiple continuances and could pursue the visa application outside of removal proceedings. The petition is denied, and Soto’s motion for a stay of removal is also denied, with the temporary stay dissolving upon issuance of the mandate. Do It For The Case Law is a news reporting service. Nothing in this episode constitutes legal advice.