texas seems to have been effective;

Texas has launched a billboard campaign in four Central American countries that uses pointed language -- some of it brutally frank -- to scare away would-be illegal immigrants from trying to make the dangerous journey into the United States. 

"[The billboards] give potential illegal immigrants thinking of leaving their home country -- and those already on the way -- a realistic picture of what will happen to them on their journey or if they illegally cross into Texas," Gov. Greg Abbott said at a Thursday press conference. "These billboards tell the horror stories of human trafficking. They implore those people in Central America to consider the violent, horrific realities of what will happen to the women and children they bring with them.".......more......