Trump admin wants to seize Catholic shrine featuring 29ft statue of Jesus for Mexico border wall construction: report [View all]

Source: Independent

The Trump administration is suing a Catholic diocese in New Mexico to seize land for border wall construction, a move that has led to a federal court case over religious freedom at a landmark pilgrimage site.

The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit to acquire approximately 14 acres of land in Dona Ana County belonging to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces through what is known as the power of eminent domain.

As reported by Bloomberg, the government intends to use the property to install fencing, security lighting and cameras near the base of Mount Cristo Rey. Federal officials have proposed $183,071 as just compensation for the tracts, according to the legal complaint.

The site is home to a 29-foot-tall limestone statue of Jesus Christ and serves as a major religious destination.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-dhs-catholic-diocese-us-border-wall-lawsuit-b2975907.html

---

DHS has already waived environmental protection rules.

I suspect if this was land owned by one of Trump's Christofascist friends who think he was sent by God, DHS wouldn't be doing this.