AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott Dec. 19 unveiled the state’s new billboard campaign in Central America and Mexico to dissuade migrants from making the dangerous journey to illegally cross the border into the United States.
Abbott made remarks last Thursday during a press conference next to a burned down “rape tree” at Wall Ranch in Eagle Pass.
Displaying a few examples of the billboards at the press conference, the governor shared that over 40 billboards have been strategically placed in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico and along the Texas-Mexico border.
The billboards highlight the dangerous and legal consequences migrants face as they attempt to illegally enter the country and as countless women and children are sexually assaulted by coyotes and smugglers.
To reach illegal immigrants coming from all over the world trying to cross into Texas, the billboards are translated into Spanish throughout Central America and Mexico and Arabic, Chinese, and Russian in Northern Mexico and along the Texas-Mexico border.
“These billboards tell the horror stories of human trafficking,” Abbott said. “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.”
Abbott lauded the work done through Operation Lone Star to stop illegal border crossings.
“But this new effort is about stopping their journey from even beginning in the first place,” he said.
Abbott was joined at the press conference by ranchers Kimberly and Martin Wall, Texas Association Against Sexual Assault CEO Rose Luna, Texas Department of Public Safety Director Freeman Martin, Adjutant General of Texas Major General Thomas Suelzer, and Texas Border Czar Mike Banks.
“There is a largely unspoken sexual assault crisis impacting women and children migrating to the Texas border,” Luna said. “Acknowledging this issue and its profound impact on survivors is not just crucial, it is our responsibility.”
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