No. 20-979October Term 2020Decided May 16, 2022Updated May 26, 2026
Patel v. Garland
This case is about whether federal courts can review an immigration agency’s factual finding that a noncitizen is ineligible to seek lawful permanent residence through adjustment of status.
Case status
Decided 5-4 · May 16, 2022 · Opinion by Justice Barrett
Read the opinion (PDF)- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released May 16, 2022
- What it's about
This case is about whether federal courts can review an immigration agency’s factual finding that a noncitizen is ineligible to seek lawful permanent residence through adjustment of status. Patel argued that he accidentally checked a box claiming U.S. citizenship on a Georgia driver’s license application, while the government treated that as a false citizenship claim that made him inadmissible.
Question presented
1. Whether 8 U.S.C. § 1252(a)(2)(B)(i) preserves the jurisdiction of federal courts to review a nondiscretionary determination that a noncitizen is ineligible for certain types of discretionary relief. 2. Whether 8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(6)(C)(ii), which renders a noncitizen inadmissible for "falsely represent[ing]'' oneself to be a U.S. citizen for a government benefit, applies to immaterial misrepresentations.
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit / Decision released May 16, 2022
- Area
Administrative Law, Immigration
Timing
Decided May 16, 2022
The Court released its decision on May 16, 2022 without hearing oral argument.
Documents
Activity
Docket activity3
Brief added: Questions Presented
May 26, 2026 | Court records
Opinion added: opinion
May 16, 2022 | Court records
Brief added: Petition
Jan 15, 2021 | Court records
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Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Jul 25, 2026
- Method
- Methodology