Texas launches billboard campaign to deter illegal immigration

On Thursday, Governor Greg Abbott unveiled a billboard campaign with gruesome realities that will be used to deter migrants from making the dangerous and expensive journey to the United States Border.

Abbott announced yesterday at a press conference in Eagle Pass, that the state of Texas has put up dozens of billboards across Mexico and Central America that will challenge migrants to reconsider making the dangerous journey to the Texas-Mexico border.

Listed below are some of the messages Texas has placed on the billboards:

-Many girls who try to migrate to Texas are kidnapped. For the sake of your family, stop.

-Your wife and daughter will pay for the trip with their bodies. Coyotes lie. Don't put your family at risk.

-How much did you pay to have your daughter raped? Many girls are raped by the coyotes you hire.

-This fourteen-year-old girl was raped by more than 20 men on her way to the border. Protect your family. Change their fate.

-Danger Ahead. If you cross into Texas illegally, you will regret it forever

-Final warning. If you cross the border illegally, you will be prosecuted and incarcerated.

Governor Abbott stated the following in regard to the new campaign:

“Today, we’re here to talk about a new campaign to deter illegal immigration into Texas,” said Governor Abbott. “Yesterday, we began putting up dozens of billboards throughout Mexico and Central America. They give potential illegal immigrants thinking of leaving their home country – and those already on the way – a realistic picture of what will happen to them on their journey or if they illegally cross into Texas. These billboards tell the horror stories of human trafficking. They implore those people in Central America to consider the violent, horrific realities of what will happen to the women and children they bring with them. Through Operation Lone Star, we have done some incredible work to stop illegal border crossers. But this new effort is about stopping their journey from even beginning in the first place. Until President Donald Trump is back in the White House to secure our border once again, we will continue to take every step necessary to defend Texas.”