O.C.V. v. Bondi: Tenth Circuit Vacates Matter of M-R-M-S-

On August 26, 2025, the Tenth Circuit issued a published decision, O.C.V. v. Bondi , vacating the Board of Immigration Appeals presidential decision Matter of M-R-M-S- , which had wrongfully held that if a persecutor had any motivation other than animus toward the family group, an asylum seeker could not prevail on a family-based asylum claim. The Tenth Circuit rejected this narrowed definition of nexus. The case was litigated in federal court by the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies and the

National Immigration Project Practice advisory Aug 27, 2025 Direct PDF available

Why it matters

Useful as a practitioner-oriented overview from National Immigration Project on Asylum; review the source material for the most current authority and procedure.

Topics

Asylum Detention / bond Family-based practice BIA appeals Federal court

Workflows

Asylum merits package Bond, detention, and habeas BIA, PFR, and federal court Consular, visa, and 9 FAM Naturalization and adjustment

Forums

BIA Court of appeals

Jurisdictions

10th Circuit