The border wall between the United States and Mexico will be painted black in order to make it hotter and more challenging to climb. The announcement was made by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem under direct order of President Donald Trump on August 19.The science behind it is that the black coating will absorb more heat, making the surface too hot to touch.
While the cost of this modification has not been shared, a similar idea in 2020 was estimated to cost around US$500 million. Budget is unlikely to be an issue, however, as Congress has already approved $46 billion in funding for the wall, which, according to Noem, is currently advancing at a pace of half a mile (0.8 km) per day and now stretches almost 750 miles (1,200 km).
The black paint adds yet another level of peril to one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world, where migrants are already exposed to trafficking, criminal gangs, mistreatment, and difficult natural conditions.
The route from Central and South America to the US is part of a complex global network of migration corridors, where millions of individuals flee poverty, conflict, and political instability. From the Mediterranean to Central America, these journeys often expose migrants to extreme risks, and many end up settling in transit countries rather than reaching their intended destinations.
Click through to find out more about the world’s major migration routes and the challenges faced by those who travel them.