DeSantis: Two Migrant Flights to Martha’s Vineyard ‘Just the Beginning’

DAYTONA BEACH (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis said the two flights that transported 50 migrants to Martha’s Vineyard is “just the beginning,” announcing he would use all of the allotted money to continue transporting them to sanctuary cities.

“We’ve got an infrastructure in place. Now, there’s going to be a lot more that’s happening,” DeSantis said. “But I’m glad that this has now put this issue on the front burner because it really should be on the front burner.”

The Florida legislature approved $12 million to help transport illegal immigrants from the state, which he plans to “spend every penny.”

DeSantis said the state has people on the ground in Texas identifying migrants that are traveling to Florida. The administration would offer them flights from Texas to Florida and then ultimately to Martha’s Vineyard. He said this method is more effective than attempting to pull over individual vehicles traveling in Florida.

Democrats like Charlie Crist claimed that the migrants were falsely lured to get on the plane, but DeSantis dispelled the myth, explaining they were given a map and a release form to sign before voluntarily traveling.

“They actually give them a packet and in that packet included a map of Martha’s Vineyard. So it was obvious that that’s where we’re going,” DeSantis said. “These are voluntary transportation that they’re signing up for. they’re given a good ride. They’re given everything and that’s just, you know, it’s a humane thing to do.”

Discussions for future plans to transport migrants are “ongoing,” as the state may use methods including buses, like Texas, or flights to send them to “sanctuary jurisdictions.”

“And that way they’re able to go and these sanctuary cities can put their money where their mouth is,” he explained. “They can provide resources. They can do all of that.”

Sanctuary cities are usually those with laws to protect undocumented immigrants from prosecution or deportation, despite federal immigration law. States including California have sanctuary state laws that prevents law enforcement agencies notifying federal authorities about the release of an undocumented immigrant from jail.

“I think people want to see that we’re actually standing up and trying to protect the state against Biden’s really, really reckless policies,” he said.

DeSantis expressed concern for the pressures and problems border towns face with the influx of migrants.

“And you saw that in stark relief, when one of the wealthiest enclaves in America, indeed the world, said they didn’t have the resources to deal with 50 People,” DeSantis said. “Well how do you think some of these border towns feel? How do you think some of the people in Florida have felt that have seen the drugs are seeing criminal activity?”

“And so that’s what we’re really trying to do. We want to make sure that taxpayers are not having to foot tens or thousands of people coming in illegally.”

DeSantis called on the Biden Administration to tell people traveling to the U.S. that the border is not open for people to “barrel” across the border illegally.

“What’s not humane is he’s given a false promise the borders are open, luring people to come here for political purposes and then basically cutting these people loose and leave them high and dry,” DeSantis said.

Democrats Condemn DeSantis Flying Migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, Avoid Addressing Biden’s Handling of Border Crisis

While many Democrats condemn DeSantis for flying migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, they have avoided answering about Biden’s handling of the border crisis.

“It’s amazing to me what he’s willing to do for sheer political gain and to use people in this way,” Charlie Crist said in a press conference. “When you are this inhumane in how you treat human beings, you’re not qualified to be governor of anything.”

After his statements, Crist dodged several questions from reporters when they asked how he specifically would handle the influx of immigrants from the southern border. He eventually claimed he “would have kept them in Florida and treated them humanely and given them comfort and make sure they were fed and nourished and treated like human beings.”