BREAKING: South Texas rancher Michael Vickers has filed a lawsuit against the Biden-Harris administration, claiming significant damage to his property due to what he argues are the administration’s lax border policies.
The lawsuit, which also includes Kinney County, Atascosa County and Kinney County Sheriff Brad Coe as plaintiffs, asserts that the Biden administration’s approach to border enforcement is undermining Congress’ authority and has resulted in an influx of illegal immigrants.
Vickers’ ranch, located approximately 70 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border, has reportedly sustained over $50 thousand in damages to gates and fences. Additionally, he has incurred substantial costs to mitigate further environmental harm.
The lawsuit alleges that illegal immigrants leave behind trash, which contaminates water sources and affects livestock. Autopsies of dead cows on Vickers’ ranch revealed plastic bags and other debris in their stomachs.
Further, the rancher claims he must remain armed with a rifle and pistol for personal safety and reports that his dogs have intercepted numerous trespassers, including members of notorious criminal gangs such as… “MS-13, Tangoblast, Pistoleros and the Mexican Mafia.”
The lawsuit states that “due to the Defendants’ border policies and the resulting criminal trespasses and environmental damage, the value of Plaintiff Vickers’ property has decreased by at least 33% to 45%.”
Vickers’ ranch is not the sole property affected by what he and others describe as nonexistent immigration enforcement. Kinney County, for instance, faced over $90 thousand in costs during fiscal year 2022 related to illegal immigration, including over $65 thousand for EMS non-transport, over $8 thousand for autopsies and EMS transport, and over $17 thousand for fuel expenses.
Similarly, Atascosa County has also experienced financial strains due to the surge of illegal immigrants.
The plaintiffs are seeking injunctive relief to counteract what they view as detrimental policies of the Biden-Harris administration.
“These unlawful policies have not only harmed Kinney County and its residents but threaten the safety and security of our community,” Kinney County Attorney Brent Smith said in a post on Facebook.
“Immediately upon being sworn into office, the Biden-Harris administration enacted unlawful immigration laws and directives but are objectively calculated to dismantle them and subvert the law with their own.”
Smith emphasized that Congress, not the President, holds the sole authority to create immigration laws.
“When the President actively undermines those same laws via executive orders, he stands in violation of the ‘Take Care Clause’ of the U.S. Constitution,” he said. “…the President…must be held to account for the harm Kinney County has suffered.”
Smith criticized the Biden-Harris administration for overstepping congressional authority and implementing policies that he believes are designed to replace existing immigration laws with their own.
