Greg Abbott Behind Mexico Billboard Campaign to Deter Migrants

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What's New Texas Governor Greg Abbott unveiled a new cross-border billboard campaign Thursday, aimed at stopping migrants headed to the United States by showing "the horror stories of human trafficking".

The $100,000 campaign in Mexico and Central America is part of the Republican's ongoing efforts to curb illegal immigration across the state's southern border.

Why It Matters Abbott has made it his mission to tackle U.S.-Mexico border crossings at the state level, having complained that President Joe Biden's administration has not done enough to ease the crush of migrants arriving at the border during his administration. However, it is not common for governors to reach across international borders in order to tackle an issue that is supposed to be the responsibility of the federal government.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott unveiled new billboards highlighting the risks immigrants face by making the journey to the United States on Thursday, December 19, 2024. The signs, in various languages, will be displayed in Mexico... Texas Governor Greg Abbott unveiled new billboards highlighting the risks immigrants face by making the journey to the United States on Thursday, December 19, 2024. The signs, in various languages, will be displayed in Mexico and Central America. More Governor Greg Abbott What To Know Surrounded by examples of the multilingual billboards, Abbott spoke at a ranch which sits on the Mexico border on Thursday, telling reporters that the burned trees they were surrounded by were "rape trees", where migrant women were sexually assaulted by human traffickers.

On Wednesday, Abbott said, hundreds of billboards started going up around Mexico and Central America, in an attempt to make immigrants think again about trying to get into the U.S.

"How much did you pay to have your daughter raped?" one of the new signs says, while another warns that: "Many girls who try to migrate to Texas are kidnapped". Abbott said it was important to show the reality of the dangerous journey ahead.

"These billboards tell the horror stories of human trafficking," Abbott said at a press conference. "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."

Texas Association Against Sexual Assault CEO Rose Luna spoke of the "heartbreaking" stories from migrant women who had been sexually assaulted on their journey to the U.S., while rancher Kimberly Wall spoke of the multiple migrant women and children who had been attacked and killed on their property.

Other billboards are warning that those who enter Texas illegally will be arrested and face deportation, and all come in various languages, including Spanish, Russian, and Chinese.

The governor touted his Operation Lone Star's work to deploy buoys in the Rio Grande, build more of the border wall and deploy State Troopers to arrest hundreds of illegal immigrants who had crossed between official ports of entry.

Abbott said the incoming Trump administration would prioritize the deportation of illegal immigrants, and that it would be pointless for migrants to continue their journey when they faced being returned home.

The announcement came as illegal border crossings continue to drop, dipping below 100,000 in November for the first time since January 2021.

What People Are Saying Rose Luna, Texas Association Against Sexual Assault CEO, at Thursday's press conference: "There is a largely unspoken sexual assault crisis impacting women and children migrating to the Texas border...Acknowledging this issue and its profound impact on survivors is not just crucial—it is our responsibility."

Rancher Kimberly Wall, at the press conference on her property: "It makes you terrified to go out of your own house and enjoy your own property. I know my husband has found three different "rape trees" and burned them down. You don't know if you'll be attacked by one of the men hiding in the brush. We all want a better life for everybody."

Governor Greg Abbott in a press release: "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."

What's Next Abbott is gearing up to help President-elect Donald Trump with his mass deportation policies, with Texas offering the federal government land to hold those awaiting removal. He will also ask the state legislature for more money in January, to cover the costs of Operation Lone Star which has already surpassed $11 billion.

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