Table Of ContentWnited States Senate
\WasHINGTON, oC 20610
Ioonsary 17, 2019
The Homoruble Kirsijen Nielsen
Sourelury
Department of Homeland Sectzity
S80) Nebrasa Ave, NW
‘Washington, D.C, 20528
Tioar Seerebiny Nielsen:
‘We write today to express our consems regunding the Trumnp Administration’s efforts to
cescreise the power of eminent domain ugainst the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brownsville,
‘Tesay and other reliinus orguniations in support of building « wall along the seuthwester
homer othe U.S. We request char you provide transparency reyariing how many’ religious
‘organizations and Amotican citizous will have their land seized so that President Lramp can
build bis border wll
Tn Ovtoher 2018, the Departatent of Justice, on beball ol Cusioms anil Border Protection,
sued the Diocese demanding an easement of propesty in the Ria Grande Valley owned by the
Catholic Church ro bogin preparatory wark needed ta plun a barter on the border.' The affected
property includes La Lomits Chapel, « 153-your old strucnire crested by missionaties from the
(Oblates of Mary Immaculate and referred to by parishioners as their “mother church.”
The Dincese challenged the Lump Administtion’s exoreive ofeminent domala on
religious giounds. Lhe Dioesse is uals to consent an easement arta any other action tht
sould feat the eastrvetion nfs ore wall ants neopertyBocause the proposed bord
‘val is *Findhmentally inconsistent with Catholic values and, if completed, would substantially
burden the ire exercise ofzligion by zestricting access (oT Lorvta Chapel. savred site ofthe
Uo Grande] Valley's
The Trump Administration's lawsuit against the Diocese rnises imporvan questions on
the exercise uf eminent domain to build a boeder wall sé the inspuct i ll have on religious
‘organizations and American taxsayers, According io report relezsed by Une ininority staff of the
Seaste Comunittoc on Homelind Security and Governmental A‘faies, the Trump administration
has boon unable ta provide spevitie information regarding how many sAmetican vitizens will
hhuve their land seized, detinitive real estar costs or requirements, or » timelahle for eormpleting
"Deel Ron Cathalie inca of Browne
Immediate Percasion (5, Renian Cotave Dae
2M
*.
Suplerentl Boe x Opposon wy Peis Mo fie
Frenne a a Noe
lind avquistion efforts ncoessary to build President Trarnp’s harder yall Ta ado,
Tndovimers whose lanl as taken through eminent domain during priar hurler effrs tak
‘Congress thul the flere! goverment did ust provide just compensation for Ue property und
insome instances sere sill waiting lsh earmpensated for takings that ocousred nese’ a
decade aga.”
Given that 67 peeeent ofthe land along our southorest bouder elonys tv eniites eer
than the Federal government, wae troubled that Presidear Tromp bas aot prowided any
estimates regarding Ue impel of using e-nimert domain to build @ borcer wall. We are
particularly by Peesider. Trump's praise the sina of privately-owned property
calling eminent demain “wonderful” and “absolutely novessary."* In aeklition, sllvouh required
bry lus: the Dspariment of Homeland Security has tot yet provided Congress with a plas to
consult focal elected ellieals on cho erainent domain process relating ro physica! harriers slong,
the boden”
Ihe federal government rust exercise exe caution when seizing privars property,
copecially wits acct to seored sites lke Lat Lanta Chapel, liven than, «eminent domain should
ro! he invoked in violation of xy religioes erganization's Vist Ameiiement right free
exercise nf religion. Filth Amendment sight to just compousstion for any public hing private
property, or the Religious Freedom Restemalion Act
To better urdesstand how Presiccns Trump's exercise al eminent dannin i build ore
wall wail frnpuet religions organizations aud American citizens, we nik thal you ress bo the
Fallowing questions by January 31, 2019:
1, _How many telipious organizctions wd Armerioun vitizems will have ir km seized
ths exercise of eminent domain te build a border yall?
oats foe land seicuses From religions
domain to bulid a
timated real setae costs or require
‘organizations and American citizems thrash the cxcmcise of ean
borer well?
‘What is he estima timerable for complering lal acquisitions elfines necessary build
aahurder wall?
" mmane Data: Adsaiweaticn acs Phan Cat Bina for La Svcs Meesaty to Conse Boe
Waal tse Sl ta Senne Commitee on Homtelans Scat and Govern Abts in 1, 2917)
sos ents anvinainedndee/ PONT nha nit-Adnb oteLee
fans nonin Domain iy Wendi, Nae, Res (Oe. 7, 2015) faeneibe at
sway taoralteviesseerfi's1252 2st alunite ie gers, Tar
Fah kepublican Dita, New Havin 206, C8 Reo (Pb, 7. 2016} cea
wir bares comncwstenscrip ight cpia vdchatenaebaieD1 6,
7 Soulan 241 tthe Cov Appeatics Ach, 2018 (Pa. Le. (15-1
4. Tas the Depantenent ever waived, of doss it alan to waive, the requirements af
Religious Igedaen Restoration Aet i build a bordce will?
‘Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter
Sinecrsly,
Charles F. Schumer Richaed | Duoln
United Sigs Senator
Tom Tata ‘Mastin Heintich
(United States Serator ‘United States Sonstar
ee: The Hlongnuble Kevin K. MeAleeran
Commission:
TS, Customs aud Borer Peerection
