Case Explained: JHONY CABALLERO-CHAVEZ, ET AL V. TODD BLANCHE

Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Filed: 2026-07-23 The Ninth Circuit denied the petition for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ order dismissing the asylum, withholding of removal, and Convention Against Torture (CAT) claims of Jhony Willian Caballero-Chavez and his family. The court held that the agency properly found the proposed particular social group—defined as “Honduran youth who have been subjected to harassment, robbery and persecution by the gangs and who have rejected the gang member way of life based upon their personal moral opposition”—was not cognizable because it was circularly defined by the persecution itself, lacked definable boundaries, and failed to meet the requirements of particularity and social distinctness. Furthermore, the court found substantial evidence supported the agency’s conclusion that the petitioners failed to demonstrate they were actually members of this group or had suffered past harassment, robbery, or persecution, noting their fear was general rather than based on specific targeted harm. Because the petitioners could not establish a well-founded fear of future persecution required for asylum, they were also ineligible for withholding of removal, which carries a heavier burden of proof. Finally, the court affirmed that substantial evidence supported the denial of CAT relief, as the record did not show it was more likely than not that the petitioners would be tortured or that the Honduran government would acquiesce in such torture. Consequently, the petition is denied and the BIA’s order dismissing their applications for relief remains in effect. Do It For The Case Law is a news reporting service. Nothing in this episode constitutes legal advice.