Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sent at least two planes filled with undocumented immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard Wednesday.
DeSantis’ office said the flights were part of the state’s “relocation program” that intends to send migrants to “sanctuary destinations” such as New York, California, and Massachusetts.
In a statement, Taryn Fenske, communications director for DeSantis, said “states like Massachusetts, New York, and California will better facilitate the care of these individuals who they have invited into our country by incentivizing illegal immigration through their designation as ‘sanctuary states’ and support for the Biden Administration’s open border policies.”
Emergency shelters opened Wednesday night on Martha’s Vineyard “due to an unexpected urgent #humanitarian situation,” county officials said.
Rep. Dylan Fernandes tweeted a photo Wednesday night from a shelter he says was quickly set up with dozens of beds.
The immigrants are from Venezuela according to the Cape Cod Times.
“We’re going to take care of you,” Dukes County Sheriff Robert Ogden told the migrants, according to The Maratha’s Vineyard Times.
DeSantis has previously said he would send migrants to Joe Biden’s home state of Delaware.
In December, DeSantis included a line item of $8 million to help deal with what he called the “Biden border crisis.” The money would be spent to ship illegal immigrants whom the Biden administration stashes in Florida to other parts of the country.
“In yesterday’s budget,” DeSantis said during a press conference in December, “I put in $8 million for us to be able to transport people illegally [in the United States] out of the state of Florida.”
“If you sent [the illegal immigrants] to Delaware or Martha’s Vineyard or some of these places,” he added, “that border would be secure the next day. That border would be secure.”
“Instead, they’re imposing the results of their policy on states like Florida,” he added.
Visit Tampafp.com for Politics, Sports, and National Headlines. Support journalism by clicking here to our GiveSendGo or sign up for our free newsletter by clicking here.
Android Users, Click Here To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook Here Or Twitter Here.
Copyright 2022 The Free Press, LLC, tampafp.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.