"How much did you pay to have your daughter raped?" reads one of the Spanish language signs, aimed at people in Central American countries including El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, Abbott's office said Thursday. "Many girls are raped by the coyotes you hire." This stark messaging is intended to deter potential migrants by highlighting the dangers women face on their journey.
In a news conference at the border town of Eagle Pass, Texas, Abbott said the campaign aimed both to highlight the sexual abuse migrant women face and to warn that illegal immigrants face arrest and deportation in the United States. "The message is, 'Do not risk a dangerous trip just to be arrested and deported,'" Abbott said.
The 40 billboards will be posted in Central America and Mexico and will be written in four languages, the governor said. Texas has pumped billions of dollars into border enforcement and fortification as officials position the state to provide a blueprint for the expansive immigration crackdown promised by President-elect Donald Trump.
The state's new advertising campaign reflects a broader strategy to deter migration by conveying the harsh realities of illegal border crossings, including the threat of violence and legal repercussions.
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