Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Tuesday that the U.S.-Mexico border wall is being painted black in an attempt to make it more difficult for migrants to climb.
The request came “specifically at the request” of President Donald Trump, Noem said during a news conference held at the wall in Santa Teresa, New Mexico.
“When something is painted black, it gets even warmer, making it even harder for people to climb,” she added.
Why It Matters
A promise to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border was a key campaign promise for Trump during the 2016 election.
While former President Joe Biden halted much of the project under his administration, Trump used his first day back in office to declare a national emergency at the southern border, granting him expanded authority for border wall construction and immigration enforcement.
Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” which narrowly passed in July, also allocated another $46 billion to complete construction of the wall.
What To Know
Noem on Tuesday supervised the painting of a stretch of 30-foot steel bollards at the Santa Teresa section of the wall, as she said the U.S. now has “the most secure border that we’ve ever had in the history of this nation.”
Noem cited lower border crossings, with Border Patrol reporting an average of 41 detentions daily at the border, down considerably from the 2,300 daily peaks in 2023.
AP
AP
She also told the press that the wall was another line of defense, posing a challenging obstacle for migrants wanting to enter the United States.
“It’s tall, which makes it very, very difficult to climb, almost impossible,” she said. “It also goes very deep into the ground, making it very difficult, if not impossible, to dig under.”
“And today, we’re also going to be painting it black,” she added, saying the paint will make the fencing hotter and more challenging to climb.
She also said that other deterrents like cameras, sensors and new technology were being added.
“It will be efficient with resources as well as the individuals out there to make sure America is safe,” Noem said.
Tuesday’s announcement marks a return to Trump’s original border wall design.
Sections of the wall began to be painted black, in Calexico, California, during his first term, but the project was abandoned to focus on the speed of construction.
Why Does Painting an Object Black Make It Hotter?
Painting an object black makes it hotter because black surfaces absorb nearly all wavelengths of visible light, while lighter colors reflect much of it. When sunlight hits a black surface, that absorbed light energy is converted into heat, raising the object’s temperature.
By contrast, white or reflective surfaces bounce most light away, so they don’t heat up as much. That’s why black cars, clothes, or roofs get noticeably hotter in the sun compared to lighter-colored ones.
What People Are Saying
Noem, at the New Mexico news briefing Tuesday: “We want to encourage individuals to not come into our country illegally; come in the right way and have an opportunity to become U.S. citizens.”
Fernando Garcia, executive director of the Border Network for Human Rights, told KTSM: “This shows the extent of the dehumanization of migrants, not just in terms of policy but among those that direct that policy. They aren’t worried about the well-being or the life of people. Everyone crossing the border has rights, has dignity. Those expressions hurt and dismiss the humanity of people.”
What Happens Next
Officials said the painting and technology installations were part of ongoing efforts to harden specific barrier sections and expand surveillance.
