The recent announcement made by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reveals that the entire US-Mexico border wall will be painted black. This strategy, credited to former President Donald Trump, aims to make the wall hotter and thus harder to climb. Allocated funds of approximately $46 million as part of Trump’s immigration policy will support this endeavor, along with ongoing construction efforts.
According to Noem, construction is currently on pace to add about half a mile (0.8 km) of wall each day along the nearly 2,000-mile (3,218 km) stretch of border. The Trump administration claims that recent detentions and deportations have significantly deterred illegal migration, with a dramatic decline in border crossings noted over recent months.
In a statement made while visiting a border section in New Mexico, Noem explained that the decision to use black paint was made to enhance the wall's difficulty for climbers. She remarked that surfaces painted black absorb more heat, thereby increasing their temperature in the already hot climate of the area. Additionally, Border Patrol officials indicate that the black paint may also be beneficial for reducing the risk of rust on the structure.
As part of broader security measures, the administration plans to install more "waterborne infrastructure" along the Rio Grande, which constitutes over half of the border area. While specifics regarding these projects were not given, previous efforts in Texas have included the installation of floating barriers and enhanced riverbank security manned by local law enforcement and the National Guard.
The report highlights a stark contrast in undocumented crossings, with recent records showing approximately 4,600 in July and 6,000 in June—indicating a 92% decrease compared to last year. Between the previous and current administrations, there has been a significant drop in daily detentions, emphasizing the Trump administration's strategy of prioritizing those with criminal histories, even as immigration advocates caution that many caught up in these operations have minor infractions or no criminal background.
Moreover, the White House Press Secretary noted that 300,000 undocumented immigrants have been detained in the US this calendar year, coinciding with new agreements involving deportation deals with countries like Honduras and Uganda. The administration maintains that tighter border security and increased deportations are fundamental to the reduction of illegal crossings at the US-Mexico border, as concretely demonstrated by recent statistics.
