“We’re here to expose the truth—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,” he said.
The Republican governor said the state has begun setting up dozens of billboard ads in Central America and Mexico warning migrants about the likelihood of being raped or kidnapped on their journey to the U.S. southern border.
“One asks families thinking about sending their kids here: How much did you pay to have your daughter raped,” Abbott said.
Other billboards, mainly in northern Mexico, will advise migrants—presumably trying to cross the border before President-elect Donald Trump takes office—that they will be arrested and deported.
“There are many people who may make a last-gasp effort to try to cross the border, and our goal right now is not only to discourage them from coming, but to help them understand the consequences,” he said.
Some 11 million illegal immigrants have crossed into the United States under the Biden administration. President-elect Donald Trump campaigned to close the border and deport millions who came into the country unlawfully.
Abbott spoke in front of some of the billboard ads present at the press conference. He said the billboards, which cost about $100,000, will be in Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and Arabic.
Texas will continue to arrest illegal immigrants, which have so far numbered in the thousands, the governor said. Many are arrested for trespassing on private ranchland on the Texas-Mexico border.
Others speaking at the press conference gave first-hand accounts of horrific violence experienced by illegal immigrants.
Kimberly Wall said her husband burned down three “rape trees” on their ranch so they would not be reminded of the ugly crimes. The underwear of victims is often hung on these trees.
Wall said one girl left for dead after a brutal assault was found in front of her house.
“She was raped by 12 different men and beaten, left to die,” Wall said.
Three people were found murdered on her property in the past year, prompting her to carry a gun for her safety, Wall said.
She applauded Abbott for raising awareness of the issue.
Women who have made the journey to enter the country illegally have told her they experienced the very violence they were trying to escape.
“No one deserves to be raped,” Luna said. “I think the reality is that the price of the journey is very high.”
Abbott said he expects the “horror” of the open border policy under the Biden administration to end when Trump takes office in January and shuts down the border.
The Republican governor was joined by Texas Department of Public Safety Director Freeman Martin, Adjutant General of Texas Major General Thomas Suelzer, and Texas Border Czar Mike Banks when announcing what was billed as a “new campaign to deter illegal immigration.”
The public can expect deportations to begin early in Trump’s second term and an expansion of border barriers, Abbott said.
He plans to work closely with the new administration to secure the border and aid in the deportation process.
“Texas has, and we will continue to do whatever it takes to make sure that we gain control of illegal immigration,” Abbott said.
