A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:
Mount Cristo Rey overlooks New Mexico, Texas and Mexico. Every year, thousands of pilgrims hike up to the large statue of Christ at the top. The Catholic diocese owns the property and considers it a holy site. The federal government says it wants to extend the border wall that's at the foot of the mountain. Angela Kocherga with member station, KTEP, says the land is now at the center of a legal fight over religious freedom versus border security.
ANGELA KOCHERGA, BYLINE: The gleaming white statue of Christ at the top of Mount Cristo Rey towers over the tiny border town of Sunland Park, New Mexico.
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KOCHERGA: At least 40,000 people a year walk the winding path up the mountain to reach the limestone sculpture of Jesus Christ with outstretched arms. The Good Friday pilgrimage is one of the largest. It's a tradition for Lulu Alvarado's family. She looked down disapprovingly at the construction crews using heavy equipment to clear land to extend the border wall.
LULU ALVARADO: It really shows a divide between people.
KOCHERGA: Ruben Escandon is with the Mount Cristo Rey Restoration Committee.
RUBEN ESCANDON: It's a religious icon. It's also a cultural icon and it's an artistic icon.
KOCHERGA: He's part of an all-volunteer organization that includes families who, for generations, have cared for the 29-foot figure of Christ. They rely on donations.
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: Donations for the mountain. Free postcards.
KOCHERGA: The Department of Homeland Security, in an eminent domain lawsuit, wants to seize about 14 acres for additional roads, fencing, vehicle barriers, security lighting, cameras, sensors and more. They've offered the diocese just over $183,000 for the property. Escandon says he understands the need for border enforcement. But...
ESCANDON: I think they're doing it backwards - starting the construction. And then now they're covering their behinds, you know, saying, OK, well, now we need to take the property.
KOCHERGA: The diocese is fighting the federal government's effort to take possession of some of its land, and in a court filing said it will substantially burden the free exercise of religion. William Powell, an attorney representing the Las Cruces diocese, said, quote, "the effort to condemn diocesan land to build a border wall is an affront to religious liberty," end quote.
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KOCHERGA: Ramon Garcia (ph) is in his '70s, but still makes the more than 2-mile pilgrimage up Mount Cristo Rey during the Easter season.
RAMON GARCIA: (Non-English language spoken).
KOCHERGA: The border native says President Trump is just stealing land from the people. April Fincher's (ph) family moved to this area three years ago. During her first hike up the mountain with her 14-year-old daughter, she only had one question.
APRIL FINCHER: Can you still get all the way up? OK, then build the wall.
KOCHERGA: U.S. Customs and Border Protection said, quote, "access to the shrine will not be affected as all attendees enter from the U.S. side," end quote. CBP wants to cut off a well-worn smuggling route and close a gap with other sections of the border wall in this area.
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KOCHERGA: The mountain is already heavily guarded by helicopters, drones, Border Patrol agents on horseback and SUVs. There are also ground sensors and cameras. The legal battle could last months.
For NPR news, I'm Angela Kocherga in Sunland Park, New Mexico.
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