Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Warns More Migrants Be Sent to Martha's Vineyard; Massachusetts Seeks Human Trafficking Probe Against Governor
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis promised more migrants on planes will be sent to Martha's Vineyard, among other Democrat party's "wealthiest communities."
DeSantis made the statement during a press conference last week, mentioning New York and Washington D.C., according to a Breitbart News report.
The Republican governor noted that those states "used to beat their chests when Trump was in office, saying they are sanctuary jurisdictions." He added that the minute Texas started delivering migrants there, "they get very bent out of shape about it."
DeSantis said they got an "infrastructure" in place now and that there will be a lot more that will be happening.
His statement came after he sent 50 illegal migrants to the coastal island of Martha's Vineyard, wherein officials immediately declared a "humanitarian crisis" and the illegal migrants were deported on buses to Joint Base Cape Cod.
The coastal island is home to former U.S. President Barack Obama's vacation estate. Most of the estates in the area are empty except during the summer months.
READ NEXT : Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Sends 2 Planes Full of Migrants to Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts
Martha's Vineyard Massachusetts Federal Probe
Massachusetts officials said they have requested a federal human trafficking probe after the Florida governor announced the send-off of about 50 Venezuelan migrants to Martha's Vineyard.
USA Today News reported that state Rep. Dylan Fernandes tweeted that they are requesting the Justice Department to open an investigation to hold DeSantis and others "accountable for these inhumane acts."
Fernandes added that the act is not only morally criminal, but also contains legal implications around "fraud, kidnapping, deprivation of liberty, and human trafficking."
The state representative also noted that he had spoken with Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Rachel Rollins, saying that he was "grateful to hear" that the U.S. attorney is pushing a response from the Justice Department.
Meanwhile, Fernandes said there is a welcoming response being given to migrants.
He then went on to say that the Florida governor "is a coward" and that there is "nothing tough about using women and children and families" as one's political tools.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Migrants Sent to Martha's Vineyard
DeSantis said during a press conference that the flights were "voluntary," saying that the migrants were "given a good ride" and that it was a humane thing to do.
However, an immigration attorney, Elizabeth Ricci, said that they are not talking about the delivery of crates of shoes, and those were people, as reported by NPR.
The legislature had allotted $12 million to oversee the transport of illegal migrants out of Florida.
Public records showed that the state paid a private contractor, an aircraft solutions provider to transport the migrants. The contractor, Vertrol Systems Inc., received $615,000. It equates to $12,300 per migrant.
Some of the migrants who were flown to Martha's Vineyard said they were told they would be sent to Boston, wherein they could get expedited work papers.
However, upon arriving at Martha's Vineyard, local churches, homeless shelters, and other aid groups were there to accommodate them as they were not given notice before their arrival.
READ MORE : Texas, Arizona Keep Sending Buses of Migrants to Washington; DC Mayor Devotes $10 Million to Help
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Mary Webber
WATCH: White House slams GOP governors for transporting migrants to Martha's Vineyard - from CBS News
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