Verdict . News

Jan 7, 2026•4 min read

•Third Circuit affirmed USCIS denial of naturalization for permanent resident who made material omissions on original diversity visa application

Third Circuit Affirms USCIS Denial of Naturalization for Diversity Visa Recipient

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed a lower court ruling that upheld USCIS's denial of naturalization for Ousmane Savane, a permanent resident since 2012 who entered through the Diversity Visa Program. The court found that material omissions on his initial immigrant visa application warranted the denial.

•Court rejected appellant's argument that omissions were immaterial, upholding government's authority to deny citizenship based on prior application discrepancies

Jan 7, 2026•4 min read

•Third Circuit affirmed Dijuan Taylor's federal firearms conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)

3rd Circuit Affirms Gun Conviction, Rejects 2nd Amendment Challenge

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed Dijuan Taylor's federal firearms conviction, rejecting his constitutional challenge to the federal gun possession statute. Taylor had argued that 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) violated his Second Amendment rights both facially and as applied to his case.

•Court rejected Taylor's Second Amendment challenges, citing binding precedent from previous cases

Jan 7, 2026•4 min read

•Third Circuit affirmed dismissal of TitleMax federal lawsuits challenging Pennsylvania banking enforcement

TitleMax Companies Lose Federal Appeal Against Pennsylvania Banking Enforcement

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's dismissal of lawsuits filed by TitleMax subsidiaries challenging Pennsylvania's enforcement of usury laws. The federal appeals court upheld the lower court's decision requiring abstention under the Younger doctrine.

•District court applied Younger abstention doctrine requiring deference to ongoing state proceedings

Jan 6, 2026•1 min read

•Third Circuit affirmed conviction of Randar Vasquez Munoz for drug offenses aboard vessel with 383 kilograms of cocaine

3rd Circuit Affirms Drug Conviction in International Waters Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed the conviction of Randar Vasquez Munoz for drug offenses committed aboard a vessel in international waters off Colombia. The case involved a November 2020 Coast Guard interception that resulted in the seizure of 383 kilograms of cocaine.

•Coast Guard intercepted stateless vessel 115 nautical miles from Colombia in November 2020 after high-speed chase

•Third Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Department of Labor against Wicare Home Care Agency

3rd Circuit Affirms DOL Victory Against PA Home Care Agency

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment for the Department of Labor against Wicare Home Care Agency LLC and Luis D. Hernandez in a Fair Labor Standards Act case. The non-precedential ruling upholds federal enforcement of minimum wage and overtime requirements for in-home care workers.

•Court rejected challenge to regulation limiting third-party employers' use of companionship services exemption

•Third Circuit affirmed dismissal of pro se lawsuit against Philadelphia child support courts and credit agencies

3rd Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Child Support Court Challenge

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court's dismissal of a pro se lawsuit filed by William Williams against Philadelphia child support courts and major credit agencies. The case was dismissed under federal statute allowing courts to reject frivolous claims from indigent litigants.

•Case dismissed under federal statute allowing courts to reject frivolous claims from indigent litigants

•Third Circuit summarily affirmed dismissal of pro se civil rights complaint filed by Abrahim Fata

3rd Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Pro Se Civil Rights Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit summarily affirmed a district court's dismissal of a civil rights complaint filed by Abrahim Fata against Charles and Martha Lang. The court upheld the lower court's decision to dismiss conspiracy allegations as frivolous under federal in forma pauperis statutes.

•District court dismissed conspiracy allegations as frivolous under federal in forma pauperis statute

•Third Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Philadelphia Police Detective Kathryn Gordon in civil rights lawsuit

3rd Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment for Philadelphia Detective in Civil Rights Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed a district court's grant of summary judgment in favor of Philadelphia Police Detective Kathryn Gordon in a civil rights lawsuit filed by pro se plaintiff John Hart. The case stemmed from Hart's arrest in connection with alleged crimes against his ex-girlfriend.

•Pro se plaintiff John Hart sued over arrest related to alleged crimes against ex-girlfriend

•Third Circuit denied asylum petition from Honduran family fleeing MS-13 gang violence

3rd Circuit Denies Asylum for Honduran Family Fleeing Gang Violence

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit denied a petition for review from a Honduran family seeking asylum and withholding of removal after fleeing MS-13 gang violence. The non-precedential decision affects Minerva Carbajal-Recinos and her nephew Delmer Orlando Carbajal-Duque.

•Gang members systematically extorted and pillaged the family's farm from 2008-2009