Florida Gov. Sends Migrants to Massachusetts

Facts

• On Wednesday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis sent two planes carrying an estimated 50 migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.
• A spokesperson for DeSantis said in a statement that the flights were “part of the state’s relocation program to transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations” that he claimed can “better facilitate the care of these individuals who they have invited into our country.”
• According to Martha’s Vineyard authorities, two emergency shelters have been established at local churches, with additional space available if further arrivals occur. Emergency management has also reached out to state and local authorities for help.
• In December 2021, DeSantis requested $8M to fund such transportation programs, with the state legislature going further and appropriating $12M.
• According to Massachusetts State Rep. Dylan Fernandes, the migrants, who appear to be mostly from Venezuela, were given basic relief services, with Gov. Charlie Baker also saying his admin. is in contact with local officials.
• DeSantis is the latest Republican governor to transport large groups of migrants to Democrat-led states. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey have recently sent thousands to New York, Chicago, and Washington, DC.

Sources: CNN, New York Post, CBS, Daily Wire, and New York Times.

Narratives

• Republican narrative, as provided by American Thinker. DeSantis has one-upped his Republican colleagues to both share the burden of illegal immigrants and expose the hypocrisy of the coastal elites. Residents of places like Martha’s Vineyard advocate for these people to be allowed in the country as long as they don’t settle in their city. Now maybe Democrats will take this issue seriously.
• Democratic narrative, as provided by Daily Kos. The competition between DeSantis and Abbott has hit a new low. Both of the governors are using asylum seekers as political pawns in a misguided attempt to oppose Biden’s immigration policies and foment anti-immigrant sentiment. Luckily, DeSantis’ cruel political gambit landed these people in a community that’s providing them with compassion and care.