Diocese fights Trump border wall to protect sacred mountaintop Jesus statue

A Catholic diocese in New Mexico is suing to block the Trump administration’s plan to seize church land for a border wall near Mount Cristo Rey, arguing that the 29-foot Jesus statue would be desecrated and religious liberty would be harmed; DHS contends the land seizure is legal and won’t affect shrine access as the government pushes to accelerate wall construction, with a lawsuit already filed to acquire about $183,000 in the process.