TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — On Wednesday, two planes carrying illegal immigrants took off from Florida and touched down in idyllic and ultra-wealthy Martha’s Vineyard – an island in Massachusetts known for its rich, famous – and Leftist – residents.
“We take what’s happening at the southern border very seriously, unlike some, and unlike the President of the United States who has refused to lift a finger to secure the border. And we’ve had millions and millions of people pouring across illegally and a record amount of fentanyl coming into our country. It is absolutely killing Americans in record numbers,” said Governor Ron DeSantis.
Many illegal immigrants crossing the border from Mexico are safeguarded from deportation under the Biden Administration’s open border policy. DeSantis’ office confirmed that Florida’s immigration relocation program targets human smugglers found in Florida and preempts others from entering.
SANCTUARY DESTINATIONS
The flights were part of the “state’s relocation program to transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations,” Taryn Fenske, Governor DeSantis’ communications director, told The Florida Standard.
Massachusetts State Representative Dylan Fernandes of Martha’s Vineyard tweeted: “Our island jumped into action putting together 50 beds, giving everyone a good meal, providing a play area for the children, making sure people have the healthcare and support they need. We are a community that comes together to support immigrants.”
Elizabeth Warren, Democratic U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, tweeted today that Florida was exploiting vulnerable people, while others bizarrely compared the move to “human trafficking.” But lawmakers in Florida recently appropriated $12 million to implement a program, consistent with federal law, to facilitate the transport of illegal immigrants from the state.
WILL FACILITATE THE TRANSPORT
“Unfortunately, a lot of those who come across [the border] want to come to Florida because everyone wants to come to Florida. So we’ve worked on innovative ways to protect the state of Florida from the impact of Biden’s border policies,” DeSantis added.
The governor clarified that for those who cross the border illegally and wish to come to Florida, “We are not a sanctuary state – and it’s better to go to a sanctuary state, and yes, we will help facilitate that transport for you.”
In April, Texas Governor Greg Abbott began busing illegal immigrants to Washington, D.C., and relocated illegal aliens to New York and Chicago. Since May, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey has relocated illegals to Washington, D.C.