Catholic diocese fighting Trump admin. plan to acquire land for border security wall
A Catholic diocese in New Mexico is challenging an effort by the Trump administration to seize part of its southern border property through eminent domain for the construction of a border security wall.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces filed a complaint against the federal government over plans to acquire roughly 14 acres of diocesan land for border security purposes.
Filed last week, the lawsuit argues that the proposed land seizure would interfere with access to Mount Cristo Rey, a popular pilgrimage site featuring a 29-foot-tall statue of Jesus Christ overlooking the border region.
Located near the borders of Texas and Mexico, the site includes a “well-maintained” hiking trail stretching roughly 4.4 miles round-trip and offering panoramic views of Texas, New Mexico and Mexico, according to Visit El Paso.
"The erection of a border wall through or along this holy site could irreparably damage its religious and cultural sanctity, obstruct pilgrimage routes, and transfer sacred space into a symbol of division," stated the legal filing, according to The National Catholic Reporter.
The diocese further argued that constructing a physical barrier on the property would "constitute a significant infringement on religious freedom and the rights of worship, which are protected under both the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.”
The Christian Post contacted the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces for comment, but a spokesperson declined to discuss the case.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security defended the planned border wall, insisting the project would not interfere with access to Mount Cristo Rey.
“Smart wall construction in this area is located within 250 feet of the southern border, well south of the Mount Cristo Rey cross and access road. The cross is located approximately A QUARTER MILE, 1,300 to 1,400 feet, north of the border ON TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN,” a DHS spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
“Access to the shrine will not be affected, as all attendees enter from the U.S. side. The only individuals who could POSSIBLY be impacted by the border wall are illegal aliens attempting to illegally enter our country.”
Since returning to office last year, President Donald Trump has pursued a wide-ranging crackdown on illegal immigration that includes expanded deportations and increased border wall construction.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has been using funds from the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” to create a barrier system known as a “Smart Wall,” which it describes as including “primary and secondary steel bollard wall, waterborne barriers, patrol roads, and the technology required to tie it all together, such as cameras, lights, and other detection technology.”
