Rancher Michael Vickers, Kinney County Sheriff Brad Coe, and the governments of Kinney and Atascosa counties have taken legal action against the Biden administration by filing a lawsuit in federal court on July 31. They claim that the current surge of illegal entries by foreign nationals is a direct result of the administration’s policies and actions. Their lawsuit aims to have the court declare several Biden-era immigration policies as unlawful.
The lawsuit, which is currently pending in the Southern District of Texas in Corpus Christi, outlines various policies and actions that the Biden administration has implemented since taking office. These include a parole program for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, allowing them to work in the United States for up to two years if they have a sponsor in the country. The plaintiffs also challenge the family reunification parole process that enables some Latin American immigrants to bring relatives to the U.S. Additionally, they are seeking to declare the termination of the Migrant Protection Protocols, also known as the Remain in Mexico program, as well as the halting of border wall construction as unlawful.
Represented by the Immigration Reform Law Institute (IRLI), the plaintiffs argue that the Biden administration has intentionally created the border crisis, undermining immigration laws and the administration’s duty to faithfully execute the nation’s laws. Despite recent declines in illegal crossings, with Border Patrol agents reporting 84,000 apprehensions in June, down from previous numbers, the lawsuit reflects concerns about the impact of these policies.
Lead plaintiff Michael Vickers, a veterinarian and ranch owner in Brooks County, has experienced property damage due to undocumented immigrants as a result of Biden’s policies. He claims to have incurred significant costs in fence and gate repairs since 2021, leading to a decrease in property value. Vickers, who leads a civilian patrol group called the Texas Border Volunteers, alleges that these policies have had a direct impact on his livelihood.
The Texas Border Volunteers, founded by Vickers, has faced criticism in the past for its methods of detaining migrants. While Vickers maintains that the group operates within the limits of the law and collaborates with law enforcement, allegations of misconduct have been raised. The group’s involvement in detaining migrants and past incidents involving tying migrants’ hands with zip ties have sparked controversy.
The lawsuit also involves Kinney County Sheriff Brad Coe, who claims that the Biden administration’s policies have placed a financial burden on the county by requiring increased detention of aliens who commit crimes. Coe’s past interactions with border vigilante groups and his controversial plans to purchase weapons for potential use against migrants have drawn scrutiny.
Atascosa County, another plaintiff in the lawsuit, is located near San Antonio and has joined Kinney County and others in challenging the administration’s immigration policies. The legal battle reflects ongoing tensions over border security and immigration enforcement in Texas and beyond.