Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) is posting billboards warning migrants of the “horrific realities” facing them as they journey towards the southern border, the New York Post reports. Abbott announced the billboard campaign in front of a burned down “rape tree” in Eagle Pass, Texas, which is the alleged location where migrant women were “routinely raped by human smugglers, also known as coyotes, whom they paid large sums of money to help secure their entry into the US.”
Abbott plans to post 40 billboards across Mexico and Central America, warning migrants of the potential dangers.
“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.
Signs include warnings to women and children in particular regarding sexual assaults with one saying, “How much did you pay to have your daughter raped?” and “Your wife and daughter will pay for the trip with their bodies.”
“This 14-year-old girl was raped by more than 20 men on her way to the border,” a second billboard read. “Protect your family. Change their fate.”
Other billboards include those warning potential migrants that they will be jailed if they cross the border illegally into Texas.
The billboards, which cost $100,000 each to make, are written in several languages including Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, and Russian.
“Local rancher Kimberly Wall agreed that the billboards were needed as she expressed her concern for local safety after seeing ‘lots of women’ who were raped and beaten and ‘left to die’ near her home,” The Post reports.
A surge of illegal immigration is expected ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration in anticipation of the incoming administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration that has flooded the border, and the country, with crime.
In addition to the billboard campaign, Abbott said he will expand the controversial razor wire fencing and the floating border wall.
Abbott praised the “incredible work” of Operation Lone Star, for making strides in stopping illegal border crossers. This new effort, however, is to stop illegal immigrants in their tracks before they reach the border.
Additional measures will go into effect to handle any migrant who crosses the border illegally including a plan to bus illegal border crossers directly to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) holding centers to speed up the process for deportation.
