The US government plans to paint the fence along the southern border with Mexico black to make it too hot to climb, Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noam said, DPA reported, BTA reported.
The measure is intended to prevent illegal border crossings.
Noam said that the fence, made up of closely spaced metal posts, is now "very, very difficult to jump over, almost impossible", and extends deep into the ground, making digging a tunnel under it extremely difficult.
The minister, who spoke at a press conference in New Mexico, added that painting the entire structure black was "at the specific request" of US President Donald Trump. This measure will increase surface temperatures in hot conditions and make crossings even more difficult, Noam said.
Before being elected president in 2016, Trump promised to build a wall along the southern border, about 2,000 miles long, to keep out illegal immigrants. He began construction of the structure during his first term and has pledged to complete it in the coming years.