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