EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Texas Governor Greg Abbott has unveiled a new initiative aimed at curbing illegal immigration by installing billboards across Central America and Mexico.
The campaign seeks to deter migrants from crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally by highlighting the dangers and consequences associated with such actions through a series of carefully worded billboards.
“These billboards, some of which you can see behind me, tell the horror stories of human trafficking,” Abbott said. “One says many girls who try to migrate to Texas are kidnapped. Another sign says your wife and daughter will pay for their trip with their bodies.”
The initiative will see over 40 billboards placed in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, particularly along Mexico’s northern border of Mexico, from Matamoros to Ciudad Juarez.
Abbott emphasized that the billboards are intended to discourage migrants from entering the U.S. illegally, especially through Texas.
Some of the billboards display messages such as,
Danger Ahead. If you cross into Texas illegally, you will regret it forever.
Abbott described the campaign as “tough medicine” and reiterated that the state would collaborate with the Trump administration to combat illegal immigration.
“These billboards are in several languages, including Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and Arabic,” Abbott said. “We built walls and razor wire barriers and deployed boots and container boxes. We have arrested thousands who got by those barriers. We will continue to arrest immigrants entering Texas illegally aggressively.”
Abbott also noted that many of the billboards aim to prevent the sexual assault of migrants during their journey to the U.S., a situation he described as horrific.
He expressed hope that such incidents would decrease with the incoming Trump administration and ensure that only legal immigration occurs.
Attached is the full presser (Abbott takes the mic at the 11 minute mark):
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