The U.S.–Mexico border wall is about to get stronger — and smarter. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that the entire wall will be painted black, a decision made at President Donald Trump’s request to make the barrier hotter and more difficult to scale.
“This was the president’s idea,” Noem explained during a press event in New Mexico. “He knows that under the blazing southern sun, black paint will heat the steel and make climbing nearly impossible.” The measure, she added, also prevents rust, extending the life of the wall and saving taxpayers money.
Construction is moving fast — about half a mile of wall is being built each day along the nearly 2,000-mile border. And the results are undeniable: illegal crossings have collapsed. In July, only 4,600 crossings were recorded — a staggering 92% reduction from Biden-era highs, when daily apprehensions sometimes reached 6,000.
Since Trump returned to office, over 1.6 million undocumented immigrants have left the U.S. in just 200 days, either through deportation or voluntary departure. At the same time, interior arrests have surged, with 300,000 illegal immigrants detained since January. The administration has prioritized criminals, but many others without legal status are also being removed, reinforcing the message that America’s borders are not open.
Noem also confirmed that more “waterborne infrastructure” will be added to the Rio Grande, echoing Texas’s efforts to deploy floating barriers and fortified riverbank fencing backed by troopers and the National Guard.
White House officials credit Trump’s no-nonsense policies for restoring order at the border, turning back the chaos of the Biden years. With crossings at record lows and deterrence at record highs, the administration is proving that when America defends its sovereignty with strength, the results speak for themselves.