The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced plans to deploy floating buoys along more than 500 miles of the Rio Grande River as part of expanded border security efforts. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that 130 miles of buoys were already under contract and installation began on the day of the announcement. The floating barriers are part of a broader Trump administration initiative to build a "Smart Wall" combining steel barriers, waterborne barriers, patrol roads, lights, cameras, and detection technology.