Some of the illegal immigrants sent from Florida to Massachusetts may be granted the right to work and live in the United States as “victims” of “criminal activity.”
Forty-nine immigrants were flown to Martha’s Vineyard in September 2022 by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration in protest of blue states’ disregard for the effects of mass illegal immigration on southern states.
Some of these illegal immigrants were from the state of Florida and some from Texas. The latter will now be granted “U visas” that will allow them legal status and work capacity in the United States as victims of possible crimes, his lawyer announced.
GOVERNMENT OF FLORIDA. RON DESANTIS SAYS THE ‘NEXT STOP’ FOR HAITIANS LANDING IN THE FLORIDA KEYS MAY BE MARTHA’S VINEYARD
Venezuelan migrants gather at the Vineyard Haven ferry terminal on Martha’s Vineyard after arriving on a flight. (Carlin Stiehl for The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Sheriff Javier Salazar of Bexar County, Texas, certified that those illegal immigrants previously within his jurisdiction who were flown to Massachusetts are qualified for the visas after an investigation by the county’s Organized Crime Division.
Salazar previously recommended that the Bexar County District Attorney file charges for crimes related to deceptive tactics to transport migrants to Martha’s Vineyard.
“The governor of Florida orchestrated the kidnapping of 49 human beings. The actions of everyone involved in this plan were criminal,” attorney Rachel Self charged in a statement following the U visa eligibility announcement. “The inaction of the Florida prosecutor Bexar County in this matter is concerning and cannot be underestimated.”
MIGRANTS ARRIVED AT MARTHA’S VINEYARD ON FLIGHTS COORDINATED BY DESANTIS CAN SUE THE AVIATION COMPANY
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has expressed his intention to continue moving illegal immigrants from Florida to Martha’s Vineyard despite protests from the Massachusetts city. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
DeSantis had the migrants fly to the Massachusetts island to highlight the Biden administration’s border policies, which have been heavily criticized by Republicans amid record numbers of illegal immigrants entering the United States.
Their initiative has paralleled similar flights of migrants from red states to blue states in Texas.
The residents of Martha’s Vineyard were caught off guard and rushed to provide them with resources upon their arrival. The National Guard was eventually activated in response.
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Migrants attempt to cross into the United States from Mexico at the border in Jacumba Hot Springs, California. (Nick Ut/Getty Images)
Earlier this year, the governor’s office told Fox News Digital that the flights were “conducted legally and authorized by the Florida Legislature.”
“We look forward to the next illegal immigrant relocation flight from Florida and are pleased to bring national attention to the crisis at the southern border,” said DeSantis deputy press secretary Julia Friedland.
Fox News Digital’s Louis Casiano contributed to this report.
