DALLAS — Texas is launching a billboard campaign costing $100,000 targeting illegal immigrants across Mexico and Central America, aimed at educating potential crossers about the perils of their journeys, including potential incarceration and sexual assault.
“We’re here to expose the truth to immigrants who are thinking about coming here. The truth about the traffickers who assault so many of the women and children along the way,” Texas Governor Greg Abbott stated during a news conference held at a private ranch in Eagle Pass.
The billboards, which began installation along major migrant routes on Wednesday, carry stark messages warning against the risks associated with illegal entry. One of the billboards chillingly warns families: “Your daughters will pay for their trip with their bodies.” Another message reads, “How much did you pay to have your daughter raped?” emphasizing the dangers of human trafficking.
“Do not make this dangerous trek to Texas,” Abbott reiterated. “The message is: do not risk a dangerous trip just to be arrested and deported.”
According to the Migration Policy Institute, approximately 85% of undocumented immigrants who enter Texas originate from Mexico and Central America, with Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala among the top five countries of origin.
The initiative marks part of Abbott's broader strategy, which also includes the search for additional lands for potential mass deportation facilities and beefing up border security related expenditures totaling nearly $3 billion.
This new strategy was introduced just before the Texas Legislature gears up for discussions on the next state budget, which includes Abbott's request for additional funds to support his Operation Lone Star initiative. This operation has already amassed costs totaling approximately $11 billion since its inception.
During the Thursday event, Abbott was accompanied by Texas Border Czar Mike Banks, Texas Department of Public Safety Director Freeman Martin, and Adjutant General of Texas Major Thomas Suelzer, among others. Abbott’s border management approach gained national media attention earlier this year when he resisted federal orders to remove physical barriers like buoys and razor wire from the Rio Grande.
Following his frustration with the Biden administration's handling of immigration enforcement, Abbott launched Operation Lone Star back in March 2021. This initiative saw the deployment of National Guard soldiers and state troopers to the Texas-Mexico border as part of concerted efforts to deter illegal crossings. Under this initiative, law enforcement started arresting suspected undocumented migrants for state offenses like trespassing.
Looking forward to the upcoming legislative session commencing January, Abbott intends to allocate new funds for border security operations through 2027, which will encompass expenses for busing, building barriers, migrant-processing centers, and even hiring dedicated personnel to oversee these funds.
Critics of Abbott's proposals believe the funding request, aimed at supporting these projects using disaster fund allocations, would unnecessarily increase financial discretion over taxpayer money. They argue this could empower Abbott to pursue programs viewed by some as ineffective or dangerous.
Despite such criticisms, Abbott's administration cites decreases in border crossings as indicators of success arising from these initiatives. This week’s initiatives follow the recent acquisition of ranch land located in Rio Grande City, which Texas officials presented for potential use as detention facilities to assist the incoming administration’s mass deportation plans.
Already, portions of the border wall have commenced construction on the selected site. Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham has stated the state continues to seek additional land to support the federal efforts to manage migrant surges.
