EAGLE PASS, Texas (KTRK) — Greg Abbott has introduced 40 new billboards in Central America and Mexico in an effort to discourage migrants from making an attempt to enter the nation illegally.
A sampling of six billboards behind Abbott at a information convention had messages together with “Cease. In the event you cross the border illegally into Texas, you may be jailed,” and “Your spouse and daughter pays for the journey with their our bodies. Coyotes lie. Do not put your loved ones in danger.”
“They inform potential unlawful immigrants concerning the actuality of what’s going to occur to them in the event that they attempt to enter Texas illegally,” Abbott stated. “That is powerful drugs.”
In accordance with Abbott, the general public service marketing campaign messages are in a number of languages, together with Chinese language, Russian, and Spanish, and are the state’s newest transfer to attempt to cease migrants from crossing the border into Texas. Abbott estimated the billboard marketing campaign will price roughly $100,000.
The state has additionally constructed sections of border wall, put in concertina wire alongside the U.S.-Mexico border on the Rio Grande riverbank, and dispatched 1000’s of Division of Public Security troopers who’ve arrested migrants on felony trespassing costs.
In accordance with the U.S. Border Patrol, the variety of migrant folks crossing our southern border has dropped sharply since report highs in 2023.
Even a present group of about 1,500 folks touring from southern Mexico is broadly anticipated to interrupt up, with Mexican officers stopping a lot of them from crossing over.
Nonetheless, many immigrants who’re already right here marvel how their lives will change within the subsequent few weeks.
“I attempt to not fear as a result of I do develop into a little bit anxious however I’m hoping for the most effective despite the fact that I do know issues may change,” Dulce Montelongo, a DACA recipient from Mexico, stated.
She worries this system that legally retains her within the nation may quickly disappear.
“That is the one factor that I’ve so far as working goes,” she stated. “Going again to high school makes it rather a lot simpler to assist my household.”
Houston native Lesley Gonzalez stated she has many kinfolk who’re right here and are usually not U.S. residents.
“It is scary throughout, particularly as a result of the legal guidelines are consistently altering,” she stated.
The Texas Tribune contributed to this text.
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