In a move aimed at bolstering the nation’s border security, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has announced that the entire southern border wall will be painted black. The declaration came on Tuesday as Noem stood before a section of the wall in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, detailing the Trump administration’s steps to strengthen defenses against illegal immigration.
According to Noem, the black paint will serve a dual purpose: increasing the temperature of the metal barrier to discourage climbers and prolonging the structure’s durability. “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,” she articulated.
The initiative is a direct response to President Trump’s directive, highlighting his understanding of the deterrent effect the black paint will have in the sweltering heat of the border regions. Noem added, “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.”
The Secretary also emphasized that the painting project is part of a larger strategy to foster legal immigration processes. She conveyed a message of encouragement for individuals to pursue American citizenship through the appropriate channels.
Funding for the continuation of wall construction, including the painting project, was provided by Congress through legislation passed in July, which Noem described as “one big, beautiful bill” that allocated substantial resources.
Construction teams are working at a rapid pace, completing nearly half a mile of the wall daily. The administration’s investment in border security also includes the implementation of advanced technological systems like cameras, sensors, and waterborne infrastructure designed to ensure long-term efficacy.
Noem’s announcement underlined the administration’s commitment to securing both the southern and northern borders of the United States. “We’re doing due diligence in securing every single inch of our border,” she declared.
During the announcement, Interim Chief Patrol Agent for the El Paso Sector, Walter Slosar, joined Noem, providing statistics that reflect a significant reduction in the number of border crossings. The El Paso Sector now sees an average of 41 daily apprehensions, a steep decline from the 2,300 daily apprehensions under the Biden administration in 2023.
Slosar noted the transformation in Border Patrol operations, citing a shift from migrants merely passing through to actively fleeing law enforcement, resulting in lower "gotaway" numbers and the application of criminal charges to those apprehended. He also reported an unprecedented boost in agent morale, attributing it to the restored focus on national security tasks.
The importance of clear governmental messaging on the illegality of unauthorized border entry was a key point in Slosar’s remarks. “Words and messages matter. It is not okay to enter the country illegally, and somebody is finally saying that, that’s our leadership here in the U.S government,” he concluded.
