The Tigua Tribe of Texas won't be able to access a sacred site once the federal government builds a fence along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The tribe conducts ceremonies in the Rio Grande. The planned fence, however, will block access to the river.

Normally, the tribe's concerns could be addressed under federal laws aimed at protecting Indian religious rights. But the Department of Homeland Security last month issued a waiver to ignore a slew of environmental and historic preservation laws.

The U.S. Border Patrol says it is meeting with the tribe to address the concerns. Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas), whose district includes the reservation, is part of a case that challenges the waiver.

Get the Story:
Planned border wall blocks Tiguas from sacred grounds (The El Paso Times 5/14)

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