Black paint to be applied on southern border wall, DHS chief announces, aiming to deter climbers during hot weather
The U.S.-Mexico border wall is undergoing a transformation, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announcing that the entire southern border wall will be painted black. This initiative is part of broader efforts funded by the recent "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" to complete and enhance the border wall, including adding technology like cameras and sensors.
The operational benefits cited include making the metal wall hotter under the sun, which is intended to deter people from climbing it. The increased heat makes it more difficult and unpleasant to scale. Additionally, the black paint is expected to help reduce rust on the metal structure, potentially extending its durability.
The suggestion to paint the wall black came from former President Donald Trump, and current and former agency officials argued in 2020 that the painted finish would have little effectiveness. However, Secretary Noem maintains that the black paint is intended to make the structure too hot to climb.
The government is building approximately half a mile of border barrier each day, according to Secretary Noem. During Trump's first term, his administration considered painting more than 80 miles of US-Mexico border wall black.
In June 2020, US Customs and Border Protection tested the black coating along some sections of the wall. According to information from 2020, the testing was conducted to assess the operational benefits of the black paint.
The Trump administration secured about $46.5 billion in funding for modernizing the border barrier system, and construction is ongoing at a pace of just under half a mile per day, with the wall’s design adapting to local geography.
Secretary Noem did not provide the cost for painting the wall. US Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks mentioned that the black paint will prevent rust on the steel.
This story has been updated with additional information.
[1] Funding for the border wall secured through the Trump-backed "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." [2] Construction on 700 miles of primary wall underway. [3] Just over 6,000 apprehensions at the southern border in June, as claimed by the Trump administration.
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