The Mount Cristo Rey Protection Act prohibits the use of federal funds to seize land around Mount Cristo Rey in Sunland Park, New Mexico, for border wall construction. This legislation specifically blocks funding for legal actions related to eminent domain and bans the installation of security measures such as roads, fencing, and surveillance equipment near the site. The bill aims to protect the mountain, which holds deep religious significance for over 40,000 annual pilgrims, from federal government interference. By restricting financial resources for these specific projects, the act ensures that the holy site remains free from the proposed border wall and associated security infrastructure.
The Citizenship Act of 2026 redefines the legal status of individuals currently in the United States without legal admission as "invaders" and removes birthright citizenship from children born to these individuals. This change specifically targets mothers who are unlawfully present in the country or entered for the purpose of giving birth, as well as foreign nationals involved in commercial surrogacy contracts within the U.S. By amending the Immigration and Nationality Act, the bill ensures that citizenship is no longer automatically granted to these specific groups of children, regardless of their place of birth. Additionally, the legislation declares that courts cannot review the government's determination that an invasion is occurring at the border.
This bill directs U.S. Customs and Border Protection to launch a two-year pilot program at land ports of entry along the Arizona border to test an artificial intelligence tool designed to detect unusual patterns in data. The system aims to assist officers in screening for illicit drugs and contraband by improving inspection accuracy, processing speed, and overall border security while addressing staffing challenges. To ensure safety and effectiveness, the program requires strict cybersecurity oversight and allows for collaboration with federal agencies and private sector experts. Throughout the pilot, officials must submit regular reports to Congress detailing the algorithm's performance metrics, costs, and any successes or failures before deciding whether to expand its use.
