Case Explained: GRACIANO GARCIA BECERRIL V. TODD BLANCHE

Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Filed: 2026-07-01 The Ninth Circuit denied the petition for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ decision rejecting Graciano Garcia Becerril’s applications for protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT) and cancellation of removal. The court held that substantial evidence supports the BIA’s denial of the CAT claim because the petitioner failed to establish it is more likely than not that he will be tortured by or with the consent or acquiescence of the Mexican government upon removal. Specifically, the court found the record did not compel a finding that the petitioner would be individually targeted, noting his lack of contact with the cousin who previously recruited him into a gang for over 30 years and that his family is unaware of the cousin’s whereabouts. Furthermore, the court ruled that generalized evidence regarding violence and corruption in Mexico was insufficient to prove government acquiescence, as it was not particular to the petitioner. The court also rejected the petitioner’s request for a remand to consider prosecutorial discretion, stating it lacks jurisdiction to direct the Government to exercise such discretion. Additionally, the court noted that the petitioner forfeited any challenge to the denial of cancellation of removal. As a result, the petition is denied and the BIA’s order stands. Do It For The Case Law is a news reporting service. Nothing in this episode constitutes legal advice.