December 19, 2024 | Austin, Texas | Press release

Gov. Greg Abbott unveiled the state’s new billboard campaign in Central America and Mexico to deter migrants from making the dangerous journey to cross the border illegally into Texas during a news conference today next to a burned canola tree at Wall Ranch in Eagle Pass.

“Today we are here to talk about a new campaign to deter illegal immigration to Texas,” said Governor Abbott. “Yesterday we started putting up dozens of billboards across Mexico and Central America. They give potential illegal immigrants who want to leave their home country – and those who are already on the way there – a realistic picture of what will happen to them on their journey or if they enter Texas illegally. These billboards tell the horror stories of human trafficking. They implore the people of Central America to consider the violent and horrific reality that will happen to the women and children they bring with them. Through Operation Lone Star, we have done incredible work to stop illegal border crossers. But this new venture is about not letting their journey even begin. Until President Donald Trump is back in the White House to once again secure our border, we will continue to take all necessary steps to defend Texas.”

Showing some 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, as well as along the Texas-Mexico border. The billboards draw attention to the dangerous and legal consequences migrants face when they attempt to enter the country illegally and when countless women and children are sexually abused by coyotes and smugglers. To reach illegal immigrants from around the world trying to get to Texas, the billboards will be translated into Spanish throughout Central America and Mexico and into Arabic, Chinese and Russian in northern Mexico and along the Texas-Mexico border.

View the full poster campaign here.

In addition to Governor Abbott, the press conference included ranchers Kimberly and Martin Wall, Rose Luna, CEO of the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault, Freeman Martin, Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Adjutant General of Texas Maj. Gen. Thomas Suelzer, and the Texas Border Czar Mike Banks.

“There is a largely unspoken sexual assault crisis affecting women and children migrating to the Texas border,” said Rose Luna. “Acknowledging this issue and its profound impact on survivors is not only critical – it is our responsibility.”

“There were several rape trees and many women were found beaten and raped in front of our home and left to die,” Kimberly Wall said. “It scares you to leave your house and enjoy your own property. I know my husband found three different canola trees and burned them down. You don’t know if you’re going to be attacked by one of the men hiding in the bushes. We all want a better life for everyone.

Watch the governor’s full press conference here.

During the press conference, Governor Abbott pointed to a burned rape tree – a place where migrants are sexually abused and their underwear is then hung on the tree as trophies by coyotes – and highlighted the horrific and dangerous journey migrants undertake to to cross the border illegally into the United States.