Case Explained: COREAS FLORES V. BLANCHE

Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Filed: 2026-06-17 The Ninth Circuit denied the petition for review of a Board of Immigration Appeals order that dismissed an appeal from an Immigration Judge’s denial of asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT). The court applied de novo review to due process challenges and legal conclusions, while reviewing factual findings for substantial evidence. The court held that Coreas Flores failed to establish a due process violation because the Immigration Judge’s refusal to permit telephonic testimony from a witness named Blanca did not result in prejudice, as a nearly seven-page letter from Blanca was admitted into evidence. Furthermore, the record did not support the claim that the Immigration Judge curtailed her testimony. Regarding the merits, the court found substantial evidence supported the denial of asylum and withholding of removal because Coreas Flores did not demonstrate that the Salvadoran government was unable or unwilling to protect her from harassment by a private individual, noting she had not reported the conduct to authorities and that country conditions evidence showed some improvements in El Salvador’s laws regarding violence against women. Consequently, she also failed to meet the stricter standard for withholding of removal. Finally, the court affirmed the denial of CAT protection, finding no substantial evidence that public officials would acquiesce in future torture. As a result, the petition is denied and the BIA’s order remains in effect. Do It For The Case Law is a news reporting service. Nothing in this episode constitutes legal advice.