DeSantis responds to California’s condemning of migrant transports: ‘We are not a sanctuary’
SIERRA VISTA, Ariz. (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis responded to California officials’ condemning and investigation of Florida’s recent migrant transports to Sacramento, saying sanctuary jurisdictions should bear the burden of “open border” policies.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom previously condemned DeSantis, calling him a “small, pathetic man” and floated “kidnapping charges.”
Florida said the migrant transports were voluntary.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta said an investigation is underway after a second flight of 20 migrants touched down in Sacramento Monday night.
“So here’s the thing, the sanctuary jurisdictions are part of the reason we have this problem because they have endorsed and agitated for these types of open border policies,” DeSantis said.
“If there’s a policy to have an open border, then I think the sanctuary jurisdiction should be the ones that have to bear that,” DeSantis responded. “We’re not a sanctuary in Florida.”
BREAKING: Ron DeSantis responds to California investigating migrant transports via Florida program
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) June 7, 2023
"If there's a policy to have an open border, then I think the sanctuary jusidictions should be the ones that have to bear that. We are not a sancutary in Florida." pic.twitter.com/nsOrhvMOaf
Newsom also said Wednesday that DeSantis’ operation “lied” to the migrants, calling it a “pathetic scheme to gain attention.”
“We will not be backing down from holding those involved accountable,” Newsom said.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management confirmed that migrants boarded flights voluntarily to California through Florida’s voluntary relocation program.
Florida’s Voice previously reported that a first flight of 16 migrants were flown to Sacramento by a private plane with documents that appeared to have been issued by Florida on Friday.
The migrants were brought to the Catholic Charities administrative offices in Sacramento.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management said a contractor was present and ensured they made it safely to a third party non-governmental organization. The specific NGO, Catholic Charities, is used and funded by the federal government, according to the division.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management shared a video of migrants signing paperwork, boarding buses and planes.
One video has text caption, “We made it to California, Thank God! Very thankful to God!”
