Catholic Diocese Fights Trump Administration Over Border Wall on Sacred Land
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces, New Mexico, is legally challenging the Trump administration’s plan to use 14 acres of church land for border wall construction near the historic Mount Cristo Rey.
"The wall would irreparably desecrate the holy site and represents an affront to religious liberty."
The government has moved to seize immediate control of the property through eminent domain, offering approximately $183,000 in compensation.
A Symbolic Conflict
Deacon Jim Winder described the dispute as "a battle between symbols"—the statue representing unity versus the wall representing exclusion.
The diocese argues that construction would desecrate a 29-foot limestone statue of Jesus and a nearby shrine, noting the proposed barrier would be "only one-quarter of a mile" from the mountaintop.
Volunteer Lourdes Castañon offered a stark visual critique: "A wall there will look like a scar on Mother Earth."
Access Dispute
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security countered that wall construction would not affect access to the shrine, as attendees enter from the U.S. side.
However, former police officer Ruben Escandon supported the government's plan. He argued that existing wall segments already funnel migrants onto the mountain, creating safety concerns for pilgrims and law enforcement.
Historical Context
The iconic statue was erected in the early 1930s after a local priest's idea. The land was purchased by the Diocese of El Paso, and hundreds of thousands of pilgrims have visited the site since its dedication.
This legal action is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to expedite border wall construction, bypassing some environmental reviews to speed the process.