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No. 21-147October Term 2021Decided Jun 8, 2022Updated May 24, 2026

Docket 21-147October Term 2021 (2021–2022)

Egbert v. Boule

This case asked whether an inn owner could sue a U.S.

Case status

Decided 6-3 · June 8, 2022 · Opinion by Justice Thomas

Read the opinion (PDF)
Current stage
Decided
Latest event
Decision released Jun 8, 2022
Case Accepted
Arguments
Decision ReleasedJun 8, 2022
What it's about

This case asked whether an inn owner could sue a U.S. Border Patrol agent for money damages after the agent allegedly used excessive force against him and later retaliated against him for filing complaints. The dispute focused on whether the Court should extend the judge-made Bivens remedy to First Amendment retaliation claims and to Fourth Amendment claims arising from immigration and border-enforcement activity.

Question presented

1. Whether a cause of action exists under Bivens for First Amendment retaliation claims. 2. Whether a cause of action exists under Bivens for claims against federal officers engaged in immigration-related functions for allegedly violating a plaintiff’s Fourth Amendment rights.

Case path

United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit / Decision released Jun 8, 2022

Area

First Amendment, Criminal Procedure, Immigration

Timing

Decided June 8, 2022

The Court released its decision on June 8, 2022 without hearing oral argument.

Activity

Docket activity3
  • Brief added: Questions Presented

    May 24, 2026 | Court records

  • Opinion added: opinion

    Jun 8, 2022 | Court records

  • Brief added: Petition

    Jul 30, 2021 | Court records