Filed Date: June 15, 2021
Closed Date: Sept. 15, 2022
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This case is one of several brought challenging the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) classification of “socially disadvantaged groups.”
A farmer filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee Eastern Division (Jackson) on June 15, 2021. The sole defendant was the Secretary of Agriculture who leads the USDA. Plaintiff challenged Section 1005 of the ARP which provided loan forgiveness to farmers during the COVID-19 pandemic only if they qualified as “socially disadvantaged.” The USDA defined “socially disadvantaged” as a farmer or rancher who was from one or more of the following ethnic groups: African Americans, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Asians, Hispanics, and Pacific Islanders. Plaintiff alleged this debt relief program discriminated on the basis of race in violation of equal protection. Relief sought included declaratory and injunctive relief and attorney's fees. Plaintiff was represented by the Liberty Justice Center, a non-profit that seeks to protect those claiming their “constitutional rights have been violated.” Chief Judge S. Thomas Anderson was assigned.
The government moved to stay all proceedings pending the resolution of the class action challenges to Section 1005 in Miller v. Vilsack on July 16, 2021. In Miller, the district court had both preliminarily enjoined the enforcement of Section 1005 and certified two classes of farmers bringing similar claims of discrimination.
Judge Anderson granted the governments' motion for a stay on September 13, 2021. On September 6, 2022, the government filed a notice that the Miller class action had been dismissed and that Section 1005 of the ARPA had been repealed. On September 14, 2022, the parties filed a stipulation of dismissal, and indicated that they agreed that the farmer’s challenge was moot. On September 15, 2022, the court entered judgment and dismissed the case with prejudice. The case is now closed.
Summary Authors
Eric Gripp (8/9/2021)
Jonah Hudson-Erdman (10/31/2021)
Maddie Mitzner (2/28/2025)
Miller v. Vilsack, Northern District of Texas (2021)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/59986502/parties/joyner-v-vilsack/
Anderson, Stanley Thomas (Tennessee)
Dougherty, Buck (Tennessee)
Boynton, Brian M (District of Columbia)
Calkins, Audrey M (Tennessee)
Farby, Lesley (District of Columbia)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/59986502/joyner-v-vilsack/
Last updated April 7, 2025, 2:25 p.m.
State / Territory: Tennessee
Case Type(s):
Public Benefits/Government Services
Special Collection(s):
Biden Administration American Rescue Plan--minority benefits challenges
Key Dates
Filing Date: June 15, 2021
Closing Date: Sept. 15, 2022
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
A white farmer from Gibson County, Tennessee
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
U.S. Department of Agriculture (Washington), Federal
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Ex Parte Young (Federal) or Bivens
Ex parte Young (federal or state officials)
Constitutional Clause(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Defendant
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Public benefits (includes, e.g., in-state tuition, govt. jobs)
Benefits (Source):
Discrimination Area:
Discrimination Basis:
Affected Race(s):