DHS Secretary Says Southern Border Wall Will Be Painted Black to Deter Illegal Crossings

Kristi Noem said the president requested the color change, noting that black paint would absorb heat and make the barrier harder to climb.

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem (2nd R) listens during a tour along the border wall at the Mariposa Port of Entry in Nogales, Ariz., on March 15, 2025. Alex Brandon/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Aug. 19 that President Donald Trump has requested that the entire wall along the U.S.-Mexico border be painted black in order to deter illegal crossings.

Speaking to reporters in New Mexico, Noem said the border wall is being built tall and extended deep underground to prevent any breaches, and the metal would be painted black to make it even more difficult to climb.