EAGLE PASS, Texas – In a bold move to address illegal immigration, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has introduced a new initiative aimed at deterring migrants from crossing the border into the state. On Thursday, at Wall Ranch in Eagle Pass, Abbott announced the placement of billboards across Mexico and Central America with stark warnings intended to prevent migrants from starting their journey to Texas.
The campaign, which was launched this week, includes over 40 billboards strategically positioned in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. These billboards carry messages in multiple languages, including Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian, highlighting the risks of illegal border crossing. Some of the messages include warnings like, “How much did you pay to have your daughter raped?” and “Your wife and daughter will pay for the trip with their bodies. Coyotes lie. Don’t put your family at risk,” directly addressing the dangers of human trafficking and sexual assault associated with the journey.
Governor Abbott described the initiative as a form of “tough medicine” to inform potential migrants of the harsh realities they might face. “They inform potential illegal immigrants about the reality of what will happen to them if they try to enter Texas illegally,” Abbott stated during his press conference, surrounded by examples of the billboards.
This campaign is part of the broader Operation Lone Star, which has already seen significant financial outlay, with over $11 billion spent on various border security measures. These include building sections of a border wall, installing concertina wire along the Rio Grande, and deploying thousands of Texas Department of Public Safety troopers. The new billboard strategy adds to these efforts by attempting to dissuade migration at its source.
The initiative has garnered mixed reactions. Critics argue that the messaging could be seen as fear-mongering or might even endanger migrants by pushing them into riskier routes or into the hands of more unscrupulous smugglers. Supporters, however, believe it’s a direct and necessary approach to manage the influx of migrants, particularly in light of what they perceive as inadequate federal response to border security.
The billboards also warn of legal consequences, with messages like “Stop, if you cross the border illegally into Texas, you will be jailed,” emphasizing the enforcement actions taken by Texas authorities.
With President-elect Donald Trump’s impending inauguration and plans for mass deportations and border wall expansion, Abbott has expressed readiness to collaborate with the new administration to enhance border security.
As this billboard campaign unfolds, its effectiveness and the public’s response will be closely watched, reflecting ongoing debates about immigration policy, border security, and humanitarian concerns at the U.S.-Mexico border.