Case Explained: CHRISTIAN SARMIENTO-ROMERO; EDER JOSE SARMIENTO-ROMERO v. TODD BLANCHE, Acting Attorney General

Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit Filed: 2026-06-29 The Fourth Circuit denied the petition for review filed by Christian Sarmiento-Romero and Eder Jose Sarmiento-Romero seeking asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT). The court affirmed the Board of Immigration Appeals’ order dismissing the Petitioners’ appeal from the immigration judge’s denial of their applications. The court applied the substantial evidence standard to review the adverse credibility finding made by the immigration judge, granting broad deference to the agency’s factual determinations. After examining the administrative record, including hearing transcripts and supporting evidence, the court concluded that the record did not compel a ruling contrary to the agency’s findings and that substantial evidence supported the denial of relief based on the Petitioners’ omissions, inconsistent statements, contradictory evidence, and inherently improbable testimony. The court noted that the Petitioners forfeited any challenge to the denial of CAT protection or the finding of insufficient corroboration. As a result, the petition is denied, and the immigration judge’s order denying relief remains in effect. Do It For The Case Law is a news reporting service. Nothing in this episode constitutes legal advice.