TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — Last Wednesday, two planes carrying illegal immigrants touched down in ultra-wealthy Martha’s Vineyard, as reported in The Florida Standard. Within 48 hours, they were kicked off the island, despite its status as a sanctuary city.
The move caused controversy and several top democratic legislators in Florida demanded that Governor Ron DeSantis cease the “inappropriate use of taxpayer money” to transport illegal immigrants out of the state. They called the act “cruel” and likened it to “human trafficking.”
“WELL CARED FOR”
But state officials told The Florida Standard that the illegal immigrants were well cared for in transit at the border in Texas and were provided with food, shelter, clothing, and other necessities. Relocating illegal aliens before they reach Florida reduces the tax burden in the state. Florida is not a sanctuary state and will continue transporting illegals to sanctuary cities and states across the country.
The same lawmakers criticizing the move approved the $12 million to implement a program “to facilitate the transport of unauthorized aliens from this state consistent with federal law.” State Senator Lauren Book, Rep. Anna Eskamani, Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, and Rep. Angie Nixon, who were most vocal on social media, all voted to support the program.
WANT TO COME TO FLORIDA
Law enforcement officials at the southern border report that as many as 40 percent of individuals crossing the border want to come to Florida as their final destination. That figure does not include individuals who have evaded federal processing or reached Florida without providing a desired destination to the federal government.
Florida’s program aims to prevent human smugglers, traffickers, or other criminal aliens at the southern border from entering Florida. In addition, illegals identified at the southern border, which the federal government has processed, are connected with opportunities to reach sanctuary destinations.
RECENT CRACKDOWNS
Today, the DeSantis Campaign released an ad with the story of a mother who tragically lost her son due to an accident involving an illegal immigrant. “My child was killed by someone who should not have been here,” the mother said in the new sixty-second spot airing across the state.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement Strike Force announced 38 human smuggling charges and 58 drug trafficking charges following recent crackdowns along Florida’s highways. Those offenders will be prosecuted and/or relocated, according to state officials. In addition, Florida continues to litigate against Biden’s catch-and-release policy and has initiated a statewide grand jury to examine the harmful impacts of illegal immigration across the state.
