Top line
About 50 migrants from Venezuela arrived in Martha’s Vineyard on Wednesday after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis transported them to the wealthy Massachusetts island resort โ part of a broader effort by Republican governors to send large numbers of undocumented immigrants to Democratic-controlled cities.
Key facts
The group arrived in Martha’s Vineyard on Wednesday afternoon aboard two planes without warning, sparking a scramble by local authorities.
According to New York Timeslocal officials and volunteers provided Covid-19 tests, food and clothing for the group, which included children.
DeSantis’ office took credit for the arrival later Wednesday, when his communications director, Taryn Fenske, told Fox News that they were sent as part of the state’s “relocation program to transport illegal immigrants to sanctuaries.”
The Times The report said the migrants were not traveling from Florida but from San Antonio, Texas, despite being sent by DeSantis.
The administration of Republican Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker is in contact with local officials who are providing “short-term shelter” to the migrants. Times message added.
chief critic
State Representative Dylan Fernandes, whose district includes Martha’s Vineyard, he tweeted: โThe governor of one of the largest states in the country spent his time concocting a secret plot to round up and send peopleโchildren and families who lied to them about where [theyโre]
he’s just going to score cheap political points on Tucker [Carlson] and MAGA twitter. It’s bloody corrupt… These immigrants weren’t met with chaos, they were met with compassion. We are a community and a nation that is stronger because of immigrants.”
Key background
Republican states such as Texas and Arizona have transported thousands of undocumented Latino immigrants to cities such as New York, Chicago and Washington DC – so-called “sanctuary” cities. The Republican governors of those states have blamed the Biden administration’s policies for an increase in undocumented border crossings. Texas, in particular, sent nearly 8,000 migrants to Washington DC, prompting the city’s mayor to declare a public emergency. The Florida government has allocated $12 million to bus migrants to Democratic-controlled states. DeSantis, who is considered a potential Republican presidential candidate in 2024, has even threatened to send migrants to President Joe Biden’s home state of Delaware.
Further reading
Florida flies 2 planes of migrants to Martha’s Vineyard (New York Times)
Migrant workers land on Vineyard via Texas (The Martha’s Vineyard Times)
