The episode reports on contractors blasting the south side of Mount Cristo Rey in Sunland Park, New Mexico, to prepare for border wall construction. This mountain overlooks El Paso and the Rio Grande, marking the intersection of New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico. At its summit sits a 29-foot Christ the King statue, a landmark for hikers and pilgrims. U.S. Customs and Border Protection posted videos of the explosions, describing it as a facelift for tough terrain along the 2,600-mile barrier. Work began in January under a $95 million contract with a Texas firm for 1.3 miles of wall in the area. Officials waived more than two dozen environmental and historic laws in June to accelerate the project. Border crossings in the El Paso area dropped during the first Trump term, paused under Biden, and are projected to decline further. Agents have heavily patrolled the slopes before, but this project aims to seal a major gap in the 2.5-million-person metro area spanning the border. Locals on both sides are affected, especially with the annual Good Friday pilgrimage scheduled for this week. Thousands have climbed the trail to the summit yearly for nearly a century. The Catholic Diocese, which owns much of the mountain, pleaded to spare it, calling the site a place where faith crosses borders. Business owner Robert Ardoin argues that shaving the mountain destroys a symbol of unity and advocates for technology over concrete barriers. Geologists lament lost fossil sites, such as dinosaur tracks, and wildlife experts express concerns about blocking corridors for species like the Mexican gray wolf. Blasting continues on federal land along a 60-foot-wide strip, with monitors present, though impact reports remain private. Surveys have not found endangered species yet, but critics claim patrols have already displaced burrowing owls and other wildlife. The trail will stay open for the next week, allowing temporary access for pilgrims and hikers.
