Amidst ongoing debates about border security, the Trump administration is seeking to acquire 14 acres owned by the Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces, New Mexico. This land, located at the base of Mount Cristo Rey, is a significant religious site that draws thousands for an annual pilgrimage.
Mount Cristo Rey, towering at 720 feet and crowned by a 29-foot statue of Jesus Christ, offers views over Ciudad Juárez, El Paso, and Sunland Park, N.M. Recently, federal lawyers filed a lawsuit to claim this land, arguing it is necessary for enhancing border security through barriers and technology.
The government has proposed $183,000 in compensation for the land, but the diocese is pushing back, citing First Amendment rights. They argue that the construction of a border wall could “irreparably damage its religious and cultural sanctity” and infringe upon religious freedoms.
Each year, up to 40,000 individuals make a pilgrimage to the mountain’s summit, often on the feast day of Christ the King in November, highlighting its deep cultural and spiritual significance. Many make the arduous five-mile journey barefoot or on their knees.
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, criticized the administration’s plans, emphasizing the site’s community value and the presence of alternative solutions for border security. “There are a number of other ways to provide border security. Instead, the Trump administration prefers to destroy this sacred site,” she stated.
The administration justifies its actions by pointing to the area’s history as a high-traffic route for human smuggling and migrant deaths, despite a drop in crossings. Ruben Escandon, Jr., from the Mount Cristo Rey Restoration Committee, supports the barrier for safety reasons, believing it won’t hinder access to the mountain.
Meanwhile, Ray Aguilar, a Ciudad Juárez conservationist, warns of potential ecological harm. “Plants and animals don’t recognize boundaries,” he noted, highlighting the threat to biodiversity from additional barriers.
Earlier, the Trump administration began erecting barriers in the area, awarding a $95 million contract to SLSCO for construction. This move reflects an ongoing trend of using eminent domain for border projects, despite public opposition, including plans previously halted in Big Bend National Park.
In Arizona, similar border wall efforts have damaged a Native American archaeological site over a millennium old, raising further concerns about the cultural and environmental impact of such projects.
This article was originally published by The Texas Tribune and shared through a partnership with The Associated Press.
