Noel Reyes Mata, Petitioner v. Loretta E. Lynch

Summary

The Supreme Court held that federal courts of appeals have jurisdiction to review BIA denials of motions to reopen, even when denied as untimely. The Court reversed the Fifth Circuit, which had dismissed the appeal for lack of jurisdiction by treating the motion as a request for unreviewable sua sponte reopening. Justice Thomas dissented, arguing the lower court might have properly construed the motion but should not have applied a categorical rule.