As part of a new approach to border security, hundreds of miles of barriers will be floating on the Rio Grande, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Wednesday in Brownsville.

Noem was in the Rio Grande Valley on Wednesday to announce the deployment of the border buoys — large cylinders that are 15 feet long and five feet wide.

READ MORE: Trump administration to add 500 miles of migrant-deterring buoys along Rio Grande

“These buoys are a death trap; they were designed to hurt people,” Bekah Hinojosa with the South Texas Environmental Justice Network said. “People who are coming to our community are coming because they need help. We want resources towards helping people that are coming here."

The group said it's also urging Brownsville and Cameron County officials to oppose the buoys and demand their immediate removal.

Channel 5 News also reached out to the U.S. section of the International Boundary and Water Commission for comment. A spokesperson issued the following statement in full:

“The USIBWC fully supports the Trump Administration's efforts to secure the border.”