"The government has no business sending undercover agents to raid peaceful Native American religious ceremonies," said Luke Goodrich, Deputy General Counsel of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. "It's time for an overbearing bureaucracy to face the music."

The court decision comes one month after the federal government returned Mr. Soto's feathers in an attempt to get rid of his lawsuit. Federal law makes it a crime to possess eagle feathers. Nine years ago, an undercover agent raided Mr. Soto's religious gathering, confiscated his feathers, and threatened him with criminal fines and prosecution. The government called this "Operation Powwow."

Eagle feathers play a central and sacred role in the Native American faith. Federal law allows possession of eagle feathers by museums, scientists, zoos, farmers, and a wide variety of "other interests." It also allows possession of eagle feathers by members of "federally recognized" Indian tribes. But Mr. Soto is a member of the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas, which is recognized by historians, sociologists, and the State of Texas–but not by the federal government. Thus, while millions of other Americans are allowed to possess eagle feathers, Mr. Soto and his congregation are not.

Mr. Soto, and other members of his congregation, challenged this arbitrary treatment under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA)–the same law that featured in last year's Supreme Court decision involving Hobby Lobby. In August 2014, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled in his favor. Stay up-to-date on the case as it continues at www.becketfund.org/mcallen-grace.

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty is co-counsel in the case, together with the international law firm of Baker Botts LLP, and the Civil Rights Legal Defense and Educational Fund. Mr. Soto is joined by 15 other plaintiffs and ministries in this case.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

An Important Message from Japan to the world about the WHO, Japan and the Next So-called 'Vaccine'

Rand Paul: Brave Marine Revealed that 15 US Agencies Knew COVID-19 Was Created in Lab in 2018; But They Kept It Secret from American Public (VIDEO)

Confirmed: Researchers Reveal COVID mRNA Vaccines Contain Component that Suppresses Immune Response and Stimulates Cancer Growth

Farmers, Truckers Warn California Emissions Mandates Will Cause 'Catastrophic' Supply Chain Crisis

Fed Court Overturns State Law Protecting Women's Sports from 'Transgender' Athletes

Furry Infestation: Middle School Students Walk Out in Protest after School Leaders Allow 'Furries' to Terrorize Them (VIDEO)

Biden's Education Secretary Vows to Shut Down the Largest Christian University in the US

US to Back Rafah Op in Exchange for Israel Dropping Major Iran Strike; Report

Schumer Succeeds in Killing Off Mayorkas Impeachment Trial before It Can Even Begin

California Town Tears Down Beloved Hillside Cross

Danielle Smith Again Defends Alberta's Coming Ban on Transgender Mutilation of Children

Detransitioners: We Were Pushed to Transition as Teens, Now We're 'Vindicated' By Study Showing Kids Grow Out of It

US Supreme Court Says Idaho Can Enforce Ban on Child 'Sex Changes' as Lawsuit Continues

How Bidenomics Shattered the American Dream of Homeownership

Bill Aims to Stop Illegal Aliens from Squatting in US Homes

Soros-Linked NGO Distributes Flyers in Mexico Telling Illegal Immigrants to 'Vote For Biden': Report

Long-Awaited Articles of Impeachment against DHS Secretary Mayorkas Finally Arrive in Senate

Justices Gorsuch and Alito Highlight Biden Admin's Glaring Double Standard during J6 Hearing

Louisiana House Passes Bill That Requires All Schools Receiving State Funds to Display the Ten Commandments Inside Classrooms

NPR Suspends Editor Who Blew Whistle on Left-Wing Takeover of Newsroom