Kristi Noem Announces New Move to Make it Even Harder for Illegals to Cross the Border [WATCH]

The Trump administration has begun painting sections of the southern border wall black, a move officials say will make it more difficult for individuals to climb.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the development during a press conference in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, on Tuesday.

The decision, made at the request of President Donald Trump, is aimed at using heat absorption to create an additional barrier for anyone attempting to scale the wall.

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“Now, if you look at the structure that’s behind me, it’s tall, which makes it very, very difficult to climb, almost impossible,” Noem said.

“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. 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.”

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the entire southern border wall will be painted black, so it will get hot in the sun and “make it even harder for people to climb.”

“That is specifically at the request of the president.” https://t.co/qI8d1pufoL pic.twitter.com/h5eFlLFVAp

— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) August 19, 2025

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The Department of Homeland Security stated that the painting process is already underway along several miles of the wall.

Officials believe the change in color will enhance the wall’s deterrent effect by increasing the surface temperature in the desert sun, potentially discouraging attempts to scale the barrier.

The measure is the latest in a series of steps taken by the Trump administration to strengthen security at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Since taking office, President Trump has prioritized expanding and reinforcing the border wall, framing it as a central element of his immigration enforcement strategy.

The decision to paint the wall black drew immediate reaction from Democratic lawmakers, who criticized the move as unnecessary.

Opponents argued that the administration’s focus on cosmetic or physical alterations to the wall diverts attention from what they view as broader policy issues surrounding immigration.

🚨 LMAO! Democrats are currently losing their minds over President Trump and Kristi Noem painting the southern border wall BLACK to let it get super hot from the sun.

It’s being done so the criminals would burn their hands to the touch if they even tried.

Genius move. 🔥🤣 pic.twitter.com/U0zGOuW6lm

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 19, 2025

Supporters of the administration counter that each measure is designed to maximize the effectiveness of the barrier, which already includes steel bollards embedded deep into the ground and topped with anti-climb features.

They note that painting the wall black is an inexpensive way to add another level of difficulty for anyone seeking to cross illegally.

The press conference in Santa Teresa highlighted the administration’s ongoing border security efforts in New Mexico, one of the states directly impacted by cross-border activity.

The state contains several stretches of barrier that have been replaced or reinforced in recent years under Trump’s direction.

The Department of Homeland Security has not released an exact timeline for when all portions of the wall slated for painting will be completed, but officials indicated that work is being prioritized in areas with the highest levels of attempted illegal crossings.

The painting initiative is part of a larger set of enforcement tools authorized and funded under the administration’s immigration policies.

These measures include expanding detention capacity, increasing cooperation with state and local authorities, and directing resources to high-traffic areas along the southern border.

Tuesday’s announcement underscores the administration’s continued emphasis on border security as a top priority.

Secretary Noem reiterated that the wall, combined with enhanced technology and enforcement personnel, is intended to serve as a comprehensive deterrent.

The border wall project has been a frequent subject of debate in Washington, with Republicans largely supporting its expansion and Democrats consistently opposing it.

Despite opposition, the administration has continued to move forward with construction and enhancements.

By painting the wall black, administration officials say they are taking another step to reinforce the barrier’s effectiveness and fulfill the president’s directive.