Designated for publication Johnson v. BOKF National Association, 18-11375, appeal from N.D. Tex. Dennis, J. (Higginbotham, Dennis, Ho), Ho, J., concurring in judgment only; banking law Affirming district court’s dismissal of putative class action against bank alleging that extended overdraft charges were usurious interest under the National Bank Act, for failure to state a claim. … More September 29, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication Rodriguez v. Garland, 20-60008, petition for appeal pf BIA order Higginbotham, J. (Higginbotham, Willett, Duncan), immigration Granting Uruguayan citizen’s petition for review of BIA order dismissing appeal from IJ’s denial of his motion to reopen removal proceedings and rescind his absentia removal order, and remanding for further proceedings consistent with Niz-Chavez v. … More September 27-28, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication Abushagif v. Garland, 19-60807, petition for review of BIA order Smith, J. (Smith, Higginson, Engelhardt), immigration Granting in part, denying in part, and remanding to the BIA to assess the Libyan citizen’s petition for assessment of his claim for protection under the Convention Against Torture (denying petition for review of denial of … More September 24, 2021 opinions
Unpublished U.S. v. Portillo-Garcia, 20-40722, appeal from S.D. Tex. per curiam (Southwick, Oldham, Wilson), criminal, sentencing Affirming 35-month sentence on conviction of being an alien who had previously been removed and was found in the United States. Smith v. Lumpkin, 20-50261, appeal from W.D. Tex. per curiam (Jolly, Willett, Engelhardt), prisoner suit Affirming dismissal of … More September 23, 2021 opinions
Unpublished P. v. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, 20-30361, appeal from W.D. La. per curiam (Ho, Oldham, Wilson), Oldham, J., concurring; insurance, ERISA Reversing district court’s grant of plaintiff’s summary judgment motion and denial of defendant’s cross-motion for summary judgment, regarding defendant insurer’s decision to only cover a portion of plaintiff’s daughter’s months-long … More September 22, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication Kokesh v. Curlee, 20-30356, appeal from E.D. La. Engelhardt, J. (Elrod, Willett, Engelhardt), Willett, J., dissenting; qualified immunity Reversing district court’s denial of qualified immunity-based summary judgment on claim of illegal seizure of plaintiff by defendant State Trooper. Plaintiff had been a passenger in a truck stopped on the shoulder on the … More September 21, 2021 opinions
Unpublished Martin Resource Management Corp. v. Federal Insurance Co., 20-40571, appeal from E.D. Tex. per curiam (Jones, Southwick, Engelhardt), insurance Affirming dismissal of insured’s claims with prejudice, finding that “the insured did not meet its burden of establishing coverage under the terms of the policy.” U.S. v. Oneal, 20-50494, appeal from W.D. Tex. per curiam … More September 20, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication Allen v. State of Louisiana, 20-30734, appeal from M.D. La. Duncan, J. (Davis, Duncan, Oldham), Oldham, J., concurring; Voting Rights Act Affirming Middle District of Louisiana’s denial of state’s motion to dismiss VRA claims challenging the composition of Louisiana’s state supreme court districts. The Court held that the question of VRA compliance … More September 17, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication U.S. v. Muhammad, 15-60300, appeal from S.D. Miss. Oldham, J. (Ho, Oldham, Wilson), criminal, harmless error Affirming defendant’s conviction of violations of the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Analogue Enforcement Act, which resulted in a 120-year sentence, on finding that error in jury instructions that omitted an element of the Analogue … More September 16, 2021 opinions
Designated for publication Texas v. U.S., 21-40618, appeal from S.D. Tex. Costa, J. (Southwick, Graves, Costa), immigration, Administrative Procedure Act Granting partial stay, pending appeal, of nationwide injunction entered by district court to enjoin the U.S. from relying on immigration enforcement priorities announced in DHS and ICE memos following President Biden’s inauguration. The DHS and … More September 15, 2021 opinions
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