US: Southern Border Wall to Be Painted Black to Deter Climbers, Says DHS Secretary Kristi Noem

The southern border wall will soon be painted black to make it too hot to climb during warm weather, US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem announced on Tuesday. Standing before the steel barrier in New Mexico’s Santa Teresa, Noem said the idea came directly from President Donald Trump, according to a report published by CNN.

“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 reportedly said.

“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 DHS Secretary said, per CNN. 

Highlighting a rather “practical benefit”, US Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks, for his part, said the black paint will help prevent rust on the steel structure.

Border Wall Funding and Progress

The move to paint the wall comes amid a reported drop in border apprehensions, with over 6,000 individuals caught in June — in a notable 15% decrease from the previous record set in March, CNN reported. The border wall was a key focus of Trump’s immigration policies during his first term, even though his priorities appear to have since shifted toward deportations and internal enforcement.

Without providing details on the painting costs, Noem mentioned that the Trump administration secured roughly $46.5 billion under the Trump-backed ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ to upgrade the border barrier system, including finishing about 700 miles of primary wall, according to the US media network.

“The government is building approximately half a mile of barrier each day,” Noem reportedly said, adding, “The border wall will look very different based on the topography and the geography of where it is built.”

Technology and Infrastructure Upgrades

Noem also mentioned that the DHS is deploying “water-borne infrastructure” and advanced technology, including cameras and sensors to enhance border security.

During Trump’s first term in office, American officials had reportedly considered painting over 80 miles of the border wall black. US Customs and Border Protection had tested the black coating on some sections in 2020, but previously indicated that it was mainly to assess operational benefits.

Some current and former officials have argued that painting the wall black offers limited practical deterrence and may therefore only largely serve to satisfy the president.