𝗟𝗔𝗦 𝗖𝗥𝗨𝗖𝗘𝗦, 𝗡𝗠 𝗗𝗜𝗢𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗘 𝗢𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗦 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗕𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗥 𝗕𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗠𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧 𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗬

 

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces is pushing back against a federal proposal to build a border barrier near Mount Cristo Rey, a site it calls sacred to Catholics and migrants alike. The Diocese formally submitted comments opposing the project before the public comment period closed on July 3, 2025.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is considering the construction of a 1.32-mile stretch of border barrier just south of Mount Cristo Rey in Doña Ana County, New Mexico. The proposed project, part of ongoing federal border security efforts, has raised alarms among religious and community groups who say the structure would threaten the spiritual and cultural heritage of the area.

In a detailed statement submitted to CBP, the Diocese emphasized Mount Cristo Rey’s importance as a long-standing site of Catholic pilgrimage. Atop the mountain stands a 29-foot statue of Christ, completed in the 1930s, which draws thousands of pilgrims each year for prayer, reflection, and the annual Christ the King procession.

“For nearly a century, pilgrims have ascended Mount Cristo Rey in devotion and prayer,” the Diocese said. “Pilgrims to Mount Cristo Rey seek a place of prayer, reflection, and communion with God.”

The Diocese contends that the construction of a border barrier would obstruct these pilgrimage routes, diminish the site's sanctity, and transform a place of unity and hope into one of “fear, exclusion and division.” It further argues that federal seizure of the land would violate religious freedom protections under the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).

“The erection of a border wall through or along this holy site could irreparably damage its religious and cultural sanctity,” the statement reads. “Any federal action to seize this land, construct physical barriers, or impede access to Mount Cristo Rey would constitute a significant infringement on religious freedom and the rights of worship.”

The Diocese also criticized the inconsistent communications it has received from federal agencies, particularly the Department of Justice (DOJ), regarding the scope and impact of the proposed project. It noted that the requests for land access have varied significantly and that the full extent of the construction remains unclear.

Mount Cristo Rey is not only a prominent religious site but also a regional landmark visible from parts of New Mexico, Texas, and northern Mexico. For many migrants traveling through the borderlands, the mountain represents spiritual refuge and hope during perilous journeys. The Diocese emphasized that erecting a barrier here could deter these individuals from exercising their religious practices, a tradition that has persisted for nearly 100 years.

In addition to the Diocese, local advocacy groups have raised concerns about broader consequences of the wall, including increased migrant deaths, environmental degradation, and habitat destruction.

The Diocese concluded its statement by urging CBP, the DOJ, and the Department of Homeland Security to exclude Mount Cristo Rey and its surroundings from any further border barrier planning, surveying, or construction.

“We respectfully but firmly urge federal authorities to consider alternative strategies that uphold both border security and human dignity, while preserving the religious and cultural heritage of this sacred site,” the Diocese said.

As the proposal moves forward, the future of Mount Cristo Rey remains a focal point of a growing debate at the intersection of faith, migration, and national security.