Case Explained: SINDI BEATRIZ PAZ PINEDA; Z.L.L.P v. TODD BLANCHE, Attorney General

Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit Filed: 2026-08-12 The Fourth Circuit denied the petition for review filed by Sindi Paz Pineda and her daughter regarding the Board of Immigration Appeals’ (BIA) order dismissing their appeal from an immigration judge’s denial of asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT). The court affirmed the agency’s determinations, holding that substantial evidence supported the findings that the petitioners failed to establish an objective basis for a fear of religious persecution and that the Honduran government was unable or unwilling to control private actors who would inflict harm. Under the standard of review, administrative factual findings are conclusive unless any reasonable adjudicator would be compelled to conclude otherwise, and because the burden of proof for withholding of removal is higher than for asylum, ineligibility for asylum necessitates ineligibility for withholding of removal under 8 U.S.C. § 1231(b)(3). Additionally, the court declined to review claims regarding the petitioners’ credibility and the failure to develop the record because these issues were not raised before the BIA, thereby failing to satisfy the exhaustion requirement mandated by 8 U.S.C. § 1252(d)(1). Consequently, the petition is denied, and no relief is granted. Do It For The Case Law is a news reporting service. Nothing in this episode constitutes legal advice.