NEW YORK: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) launched a new ad campaign in an effort to warn potential migrants of the struggles they are likely to face while trying to enter the Unites States.
The “Know the Facts” campaign provides discouraging travel information for migrants coming from Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.
CBP Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske explained the campaign as a kind of humanitarian awareness effort, saying, “This campaign is designed to educate would-be travelers in Central America and Mexico about the realities of the journey north—human smugglers have no regard for human life.”
“It is critical that they are aware of the facts behind U.S. immigration policies before risking their lives. There are no ‘permisos,’” said Kerlikowske.
The campaigns directed at each of the four countries all have the same radio ad.
According to a translation by KGBT News, a CBS affiliate out of Harlingen, Texas, one of the ads warns that, despite what the migrants might have heard, “The United States immigration law itself has not changed and those trying to cross the border without proper documents do not have ‘permission’ and will be the subjects for immediate deportation under President [Barack] Obama’s recently announced immigration guidelines. If anyone says or promises something different, please, do not believe them. Protect yourself!”
CBP is taking a multimedia approach in their efforts to inform potential migrants of possible danger. As reported by CBS, the agency plans on placing billboards throughout several Central American countries to warn parents that it would be a dangerous gamble to send their children to the U.S. in an attempt to gain citizenship.
The federal government is currently spending $1 million on the awareness program.
