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Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces gets more support from border communities in fight over Mount Cristo Rey property
By Aaron Montes at KTSM 9 News (NBC)
· June 23, 2026
· 1 min read
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – A federal judge in New Mexico has ruled the U.S. government can deposit money into a court as part of a plan to seize land from the Catholic Diocese in Las Cruces. But Judge Kenneth J. Gonzales also ruled the Diocese can still challenge the Trump administration’s decision ...
Key takeaway government can deposit money into a court as part of a plan to seize land from the Catholic Diocese in Las Cruces.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The recent ruling by Judge Kenneth J. Gonzales has significant implications for the El Paso community, which has strong ties to the Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces. Many El Paso residents have shown support for the Diocese in its fight over the Mount Cristo Rey property, demonstrating the close relationship between the two border cities. The fact that a federal judge has allowed the Diocese to continue challenging the government's decision to seize the land suggests that the community's concerns are being taken seriously. As the case moves forward, El Pasoans will be watching closely to see how the dispute is resolved, given the property's cultural and historical significance to the region. The outcome of this case could also set a precedent for future land seizures along the US-Mexico border, making it a crucial issue for border communities to follow.
About this story
Original reporting by KTSM 9 News (NBC) . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KTSM 9 News (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: KTSM 9 News (NBC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – A federal judge in New Mexico has ruled the U.S. government can deposit money into a court as part of a plan to seize land from the Catholic Diocese in Las Cruces. But Judge Kenneth J. Gonzales also ruled the Diocese can still challenge the Trump administration’s decision ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by KTSM 9 News (NBC) and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Aaron Montes at KTSM 9 News (NBC). To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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