Why is a man dressed as Jesus, carrying a heavy cross on Pasco street corners?
The day before President Donald Trump was inaugurated, a man dressed as Jesus and dragged a cross through Pasco to protest his promised immigration policies.
Làzaro Aragòn is an immigrant himself and has become a provocative activist, peacefully protesting against Trump and his immigration policies that have left many immigrants feeling fearful and uncertain about their future.
He was born in a village in Southern Mexico, near the border of Guatemala, and has lived in Washington for more than 30 years.
What makes Aragòn’s demonstrations different is his unique appearance. He dresses in flowing cream-colored robes and carries a large, heavy crucifix while protesting.
With his long, dark hair, he looks like Jesus.
From immigrant to activist
Aragòn, 55, is a U.S. citizen who hopes his activism will bring awareness to the immigrant community and fight for undocumented immigrants’ rights. He’s protested in Washington and parts of Mexico.
He currently lives Walla Walla and has two adult children. His mother also lives in Walla Walla.
Two weeks ago, Aragòn was invited to protest in Pasco by Radio La Ley, a local Spanish radio station. He knelt at the intersection of 20th Avenue and Court Street on Jan. 19, the day before Trump’s inauguration.
Aragòn plans to demonstrate in Tri-Cities again at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 2, at the intersection of Road 68 and Burden Boulevard in Pasco.
Guided by faith
Aragòn was drawn to activism and service at an early age. When he was a boy in Mexico, he would share his Catholic faith with others and help people in need.
He later taught Catholic ministry in Spokane and Walla Walla, educating children receiving First Holy Communion and preparing couples to get married.
He told the Herald in Spanish that he wants to help bring undocumented immigrants “out of the shadows of society” and encourage them not to hide.
“What President Trump is doing to immigrants is unjust,” Aragón said in Spanish. “I see discrimination. I see racism. I see nepotism. I see narcissism. ... I’m just trying to protect my people as much as I can. I love people regardless of their religion or race.”
Aragòn, who is not currently a practicing Catholic, said that he does not believe that he is Jesus reincarnate. Rather, he aims to represent Jesus’s actions, values and identity.
He said that Jesus was an immigrant and was persecuted. Jesus also served the poor and the vulnerable.
Aragòn has worked as a television personality, actor, singer and photographer and is active on social media, posting regularly on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.
He said he is the only one of his 15 siblings to receive higher education in the U.S., having studied at various Washington colleges and universities.
He also helps people with the process of applying for legal documentation and at one time, aspired to be an immigration lawyer.
Undocumented immigrants in WA
There are more than 246,000 undocumented immigrants in Washington state, according to 2019 data from the Migrant Policy Institute, and 139,000, or 57%, are from Mexico.
The Pew Research Center estimated that Washington’s population of undocumented immigrants was as high as 325,000 in 2022.
Locally, about 14,000 Pasco residents, or 17% of the city’s population of about 80,000, are foreign born, according to estimated 2023 census data. That compares to 11,000, or 13%, in Kennewick and 5,400, or 9%, in Richland.
Pasco’s foreign-born residents include about 5,300 naturalized U.S. citizens and 8,700 who are not citizens. Noncitizens include lawful permanent residents, temporary migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants, according to the census.
Estimated 2024 census data shows that Latinos make up 57% of Pasco’s population.
Officials at the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project told the Herald in November that the groups that are most vulnerable to deportation are those who have already received removal orders and criminals in jails and prisons, even if they have legal status.
This story was originally published January 31, 2025 at 12:29 PM.
