Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the directive came directly from President Trump, under the expectation the dark paint will discourage migrants to climb the wall by making it unbearably hot under the desert sun.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is following through on a specific request from President Donald Trump — and critics are having a field day. Noem announced on Tuesday that the entire wall along the southern border will be painted black as part of an effort to reduce illegal crossings into the United States.