Abbott unveils $100K billboard campaign to deter illegal border crossings

Source: KVUE-TV Austin, TX

Published: 8:15 PM CST December 19, 2024
Updated: 8:15 PM CST December 19, 2024


EAGLE PASS, Texas — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott unveiled a new border security strategy on Thursday to deter migrants from crossing the border illegally into Texas. Abbott discussed the plans at a ranch outside of Eagle Pass. The $100,000 campaign includes billboards displaying alarming messages throughout Central America and Mexico.

The billboards feature messages like "How much did you pay to have your daughter raped?," "Many girls who try to migrate to Texas are kidnapped" and "Your wife and daughter will pay for their trip with their bodies." "We are trying to provide reality facts for immigrants thinking about coming here to save their lives, to save them from sexual assault, save them from being arrested, and let them know there are consequences if they take any further steps to come to the state of Texas," Abbott said.

Closer to the U.S.-Mexico border, the signs warn, "If you cross the border illegally into Texas, you will be jailed" and "Don't come to Texas illegally. You will be arrested." The billboards are in several languages, including Spanish, Russian, Chinese and Arabic.

"It is not only to discourage them from coming but to help them understand the consequences when they come," Abbott said. "Our goal is to stop people in their tracks where they are right now and have them stop making any further track toward Texas or the United States of America."

Read more: https://www.kvue.com/article/news/politics/texas-billboard-campaign-dangers-consequences-crossing-the-border-illegally/269-fab05591-9d3d-4086-a034-4e07d9b9117f