Kristi Noem Unveils New Layer in Trump’s Border Wall Plan

Published Time: 08-20-2025, 15:45

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has announced a new measure in the Trump administration’s border security strategy: painting the southern border wall black. The initiative, she said, aims to enhance the wall’s effectiveness as a deterrent while extending the durability of the structure.

Speaking at a press briefing in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, Noem credited recent congressional funding for enabling continued wall construction and emphasized the administration’s broader efforts to secure both southern and northern borders.

Border Wall to Be Painted Black

Standing alongside Border Patrol officials, Noem explained that the black paint serves two key purposes. First, it will cause the metal barrier to absorb more heat, making it harder to climb. Second, the coating is expected to protect the steel from wear and extend its lifespan.

“This is specifically at the request of President Trump,” Noem told reporters. “In the high temperatures along the southern border, a black surface becomes hotter, creating an added obstacle for anyone attempting to scale the wall.”

Noem added that the symbolic aspect of the project was also important: “We want individuals to come to our country legally, follow federal laws, and pursue the American dream the right way.”

Congressional Funding and Expanded Resources

Noem attributed progress to what she described as the “big, beautiful bill” passed by Congress in July. The legislation allocated new funding for border security infrastructure, which she said is enabling construction to advance at nearly half a mile of wall per day.

Alongside the wall and its new coating, she highlighted additional investments in surveillance technology, cameras, sensors, and waterborne infrastructure. These measures, according to Noem, will ensure the border remains “secure and efficient well into the future.”

Security Beyond the Southern Border

While much of the public focus remains on the U.S.-Mexico border, Noem stressed that the administration is not overlooking the northern frontier.

“We’re doing due diligence in securing every single inch of our border,” she said. “A nation without borders is no nation at all. We are fortunate to have leadership that recognizes border security as essential to the country’s future.”

Border Patrol Perspective

Interim Chief Patrol Agent for the El Paso Sector, Walter Slosar, joined Noem at the event. He reported that apprehensions in his sector have significantly declined compared to levels recorded under the Biden administration in 2023.

According to Slosar, agents are now apprehending an average of 41 individuals per day, down from 2,300 per day two years ago. He said most detainees are single adults from Mexico, Guatemala, and Ecuador.

Slosar also noted that the seven-day average of “gotaways”—migrants who evade capture—has dropped to just nine per day, the lowest on record for the sector.

Enforcement and Morale

Slosar highlighted that, unlike in previous years when migrants often crossed freely, many are now attempting to avoid agents. He emphasized that stricter enforcement and closer cooperation with the Department of Justice are leading to stronger consequences for unlawful entry.

“We are applying criminal charges where appropriate, and our partners in ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations are ensuring removals take place,” Slosar said.

The agent also praised the current environment for improving morale within Border Patrol ranks: “Our job is national security. We are keeping this area safe, and agents are motivated because we’re seeing real results.”

Broader Implications

The initiative to paint the border wall black underscores the Trump administration’s continued emphasis on physical barriers as part of a multi-layered security strategy. Supporters argue the approach strengthens deterrence and border control, while critics remain skeptical of the wall’s overall effectiveness compared to broader immigration reforms.

For now, the administration is pressing forward with expanded construction and new measures, framing the wall as both a symbolic and practical cornerstone of U.S. border policy.

Key Takeaways

• Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced plans to paint the southern border wall black.
• The move aims to increase the wall’s heat absorption, making it harder to climb, and to extend its lifespan.
• Congressional funding is supporting nearly half a mile of new construction daily, along with technology upgrades.
• Border Patrol reports declining apprehensions and record-low “gotaway” rates in the El Paso sector.
• Officials say the strategy is designed to secure both southern and northern U.S. borders.