Florida Democrat Leaders Demand End to DeSantis’ Migrant Transports: ‘Intercept, Deceive, and Transport’
TALLAHASSEE (FLV) – Florida House Democrat Leaders held a press conference to discuss their request for the Legislature to instruct Gov. Ron DeSantis to “cease his inappropriate use of taxpayer money to apparently intercept, deceive, and transport asylum seeking migrants” after he sent two planes to Martha’s Vineyard last week.
The DeSantis Administration reportedly sent two planes as “part of the state’s relocation program to transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations.”
The office said the funds were pulled from the $12 million the Florida legislature provided to help transport illegal immigrants from the state.
House Democrat Leaders claim this use of state funds is not what was intended or described in law and say the migrants seeking asylum may be Venezuelan political refugees fleeing an oppressive regime, arguing they might not be unlawfully present in the United States.
In a letter to House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, and House Chair Jay Trumbull, R-Panama City, Democrat Leaders say:
“Florida Statutes, Section 216.177(2)(b) empowers the Chair and vice-chair of the Legislative Budget Commission, or the Senate President and House Speaker, to object to any agency action that exceeds the authority delegated to the executive or judicial branches, or is contrary to legislative policy and intent, and provides that any member of the House may request that the Speaker initiate the process
House Democratic Caucus Leader Designate Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa and House Democratic Caucus Leader Evan Jenne, D-Hollywood
for the objection. It seems that migrants were taken from Texas, brought to Florida, and then sent to Massachusetts for political purposes.”
DeSantis said the two flights that transported 50 migrants to Martha’s Vineyard marks “just the beginning,” announcing he can use all of the allotted money to continue transporting them to sanctuary cities.
The governor 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.
In the letter, Florida House Democrats claim, “the assertion that these people might have wanted to come to Florida is not a sufficient reason to intercept, deceive, and transport asylum seekers two thousand miles.”
Democrat candidate for governor 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.”
DeSantis said, “We’re not a sanctuary state. We don’t have benefits or any of that. There are some sanctuary jurisdictions and that would be better,” DeSantis said. “Now what would be best is for Biden to do is damn job and secure the border.”
