Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revealed Tuesday that the Trump administration will paint the entire southern border wall black to enhance its effectiveness as a deterrent against illegal immigration.
Noem made the announcement while standing before a section of the border wall in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, outlining the administration’s strategy to strengthen border security measures.
The secretary explained that the black paint serves two primary functions: heating the metal structure to make climbing more difficult and extending the wall’s operational lifespan.
“If you look at the structure that’s behind me, it’s tall, which makes it very, very difficult to climb, almost impossible. It also goes deep into the ground, which would make it very difficult, if not impossible, to dig under. And today we are also going to be painting it black,” Noem stated.
The painting initiative comes directly from President Trump’s directive, according to Noem.
“That is specifically at the request of the president, who understands that in the hot temperatures down here, when something is painted black, it gets even warmer, and it will make it even harder for people to climb,” she added.
Noem emphasized that the black paint represents part of a broader strategy to