The Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces filed a brief on 2026-05-08 opposing a Trump administration effort to take land near Mount Cristo Rey in Dona Ana County, New Mexico, for more border wall fencing. [1, 2]
The dispute centers on a holy site that includes a 29-foot-tall limestone statue of Jesus Christ. The government is seeking about 14 acres there and has set estimated just compensation at $183,071, Axios reported. [2]
The diocese says the seizure would violate religious freedom and is asking the court to protect the site under the First Amendment's Free Exercise Clause and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Diocese attorneys said parishioners and visitors come to the summit to “marvel at the beauty of the monument and the view offered from the summit.” [1, 2]
The shrine hosts annual pilgrimages, and the diocese says as many as 40,000 faithful attend on the feast day of Christ the King each fall. [2]
Accounts differ on who started the legal fight. Axios said Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin initiated the lawsuit, while The Japan Times said the administration is seeking the land through eminent domain but did not identify who filed first. [1, 2]
Axios said DHS and the diocese had not immediately responded to requests for comment on Tuesday afternoon. [2]
