Mount Cristo Rey Protection Act

The Mount Cristo Rey Protection Act aims to safeguard Mount Cristo Rey in Sunland Park, New Mexico, a site recognized for its profound religious and cultural significance and as a major pilgrimage destination. The bill explicitly prohibits the use of federal funds for any eminent domain actions concerning this mountain, including a specific ongoing lawsuit related to land seizure for border wall construction. Congress finds that federal attempts to seize land around Mount Cristo Rey infringe upon the religious liberty of the Catholic Church and its numerous visitors. To further protect the site, the legislation also bans the use of federal funds for constructing, installing, operating, or maintaining various security measures such as roads, fencing, vehicle barriers, security lighting, cameras, or sensors on or near Mount Cristo Rey.