The situation unfolding at the Texas border is deeply troubling, as vulnerable individuals are reportedly facing severe violence, including sexual assault and even murder, during their desperate attempts to cross into the United States. Data from the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault, corroborated by other humanitarian groups, paints a grim picture of the risks these people face. Yet, rather than addressing these harrowing realities with compassion and effective policy, Governor Greg Abbott seems to see it as an opportunity to double down on fear-based messaging.
Abbott has launched a campaign featuring provocative billboards, one of which ominously warns, “Your wife and daughter will pay for their trip with their bodies.” Another slogan calls the violence “tough medicine,” a chillingly indifferent response to the human suffering unfolding at the border. Critics argue that these messages do nothing to deter crime but instead exploit the crisis for political gain, reinforcing stereotypes and dehumanizing those most in need of help.
This rhetoric comes amidst a heated political climate, with Donald Trump’s third presidential campaign reigniting debates on immigration. During an appearance on Andrew Schulz’s Flagrant podcast, Trump repeated his long-standing claims that migrants are a threat, pledging to completely seal the border if reelected. However, he briefly expressed sympathy for non-criminal migrants seeking safety and a path to citizenship—a sentiment that quickly dissipated when, after winning the election, he announced plans to appoint Tom Homan as his border czar. Homan is a polarizing figure known for his hardline stance, including a willingness to deport entire families, regardless of their legal status. Abbott called Homan “the right man for the job” and has reportedly begun collaborating with him on more controversial strategies to address migration.
Abbott’s tenure as governor has heavily focused on illegal immigration, with his Operation Lone Star initiative boasting statistics such as 49,000 arrests and the seizure of over 500 million doses of fentanyl. However, these numbers have not quelled his push for more aggressive measures. He recently announced the installation of multilingual billboards across Texas and Mexico, a move he unveiled at the ranch of Kim and Martin Wall, who have reported violent incidents on their property involving migrants. The Walls described feeling so unsafe that they’ve resorted to burning trees where migrants allegedly hid during attacks. Abbott has used such accounts to reinforce his narrative, suggesting that violence is an inevitable consequence of migration.
Perhaps most distressing are reports from human rights organizations about the experiences of migrant children, including 11-year-old girls being provided with morning-after pills to carry in their bras in case they are sexually assaulted during their journey. This tragic reality underscores the dire circumstances many migrants are fleeing, only to encounter similar dangers in their pursuit of safety.
There are no simple answers to the complex issues surrounding immigration, but critics argue that Abbott’s approach does little to address the root causes or provide solutions. Instead, his actions and messaging send a chilling message: Texas is a dangerous place, particularly for women and children. The question remains—what kind of leadership prioritizes slogans over safety and compassion?