Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem rolled out the newest Trump administration strategy for keeping America’s border secure — and it’s so simple it almost sounds old-fashioned: a paint roller, a can of black paint, and the scorching desert sun.

Standing at the border wall in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, Noem explained that the move came directly at the request of President Donald J. Trump.

“Now, if you look at the structure that’s behind me, it’s tall, which makes it very, very difficult to climb, almost impossible. It also goes deep into the ground, which would make it very difficult, if not impossible, to dig under,” Noem said.

“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.”

The paint isn’t just about deterrence. According to Noem, it also helps preserve the steel structure by preventing rust while simultaneously using the desert heat as a natural barrier.

The concept dates back to Trump’s first term, when portions of the wall in Calexico, California, were painted black before the practice was shelved in order to accelerate construction. With illegal crossings now at historic lows, the administration has returned to the original prototype design — this time with more resources than ever before.

Trump’s latest border security package includes $46.5 billion to finish the wall and outfit it with high-tech surveillance tools, including new towers in the Del Rio Sector to track “gotaways,” as reported by NewsNation.

The difference on the ground is already undeniable. Interim Chief Patrol Agent Walter Slosar reported that the El Paso Sector is averaging just 41 apprehensions per day — a jaw-dropping decrease from the 2,300 daily encounters at the peak of the 2023 crisis. Most of those arrested now are single adult males from Mexico, Guatemala, and Ecuador.

Noem highlighted these numbers as a direct reflection of Trump’s success. “The United States now has the most secure border that we’ve ever had in the history of this nation,” she said, noting official reports showing zero illegal border crossings for May, June, and July.

President Trump celebrated on Truth Social, declaring that Texas produced “the LOWEST RECORDED NUMBERS IN UNITED STATES HISTORY” in July.

While Republicans praised the move as common-sense, Democrats denounced the idea as cruel and unnecessary. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) defended the administration’s approach: “The wall is needed to help secure the border,” he said, adding that the mix of barriers and advanced tech gives agents a powerful edge against smugglers and cartels.

Administration officials also stressed that painting the wall black is a far more humane option than alternatives like razor wire or electrified fencing, which are common in other countries.

On social media, support for the initiative poured in, with users praising Trump’s foresight and calling the move a smart, inexpensive way to reinforce America’s sovereignty.