Case Explained: RIVERA-LOPEZ V. BLANCHE

Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Filed: 2026-08-14 The Ninth Circuit denied Abner Alexander Rivera-Lopez’s petition for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals’ decision denying his claims for asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT). The court applied the substantial evidence standard, upholding the agency’s determination unless the evidence compelled a contrary conclusion. The court held that Rivera waived challenges to the timeliness of his asylum application and his eligibility for CAT relief because he failed to address these dispositive factors in his opening brief. Regarding his due process claim, the court found no violation based on the Immigration Judge’s admission of an FBI rap sheet, which was consistent with prior evidence of Rivera’s criminal history; the lack of medical records to substantiate claims of mental illness despite testimony regarding substance abuse treatment; and clarifying questions about the death of Rivera’s father, which were not adversarial. Finally, the court affirmed the denial of withholding of removal because substantial evidence supported the finding that Rivera failed to articulate specific political opinions expressed in his artwork sufficient to establish a nexus between those opinions and the risk of harm he feared. Consequently, the petition for review is denied. Do It For The Case Law is a news reporting service. Nothing in this episode constitutes legal advice.