Forty-nine illegal migrants were flown from Florida to Martha’s Vineyard in September 2022 by Gov. Ron DeSantis’s government as a protest against blue states’ disregard for the effects of mass illegal migration on southern states. Some of these migrants were from Florida, while others were from Texas. Those from Texas are now being given “U visas” which will allow them legal status and working capacity in the U.S. as victims of potential crimes, as certified by Sheriff Javier Salazar of Bexar County. Salazar had previously recommended charges for crimes related to deceptive transportation tactics used to send the migrants to Martha’s Vineyard.
Attorney Rachel Self accused the Governor of Florida of orchestrating the abduction of the migrants, and stated that the actions of all involved in the scheme were criminal. She expressed concern about the inaction of the Bexar County district attorney in the matter. The migrants’ eligibility for U visas was announced after an investigation by the county’s Organized Crime Division. This incident was part of DeSantis’s efforts to highlight the Biden administration’s border policies, which have faced heavy criticism from Republicans due to the record numbers of illegal immigrants entering the U.S.
Residents on Martha’s Vineyard were surprised by the arrival of the migrants and scrambled to provide resources for them, eventually requiring activation of the National Guard in response. DeSantis had the migrants flown to the Massachusetts island to draw attention to the crisis at the southern border, with similar red state to blue state migrant flights also being conducted in Texas. The governor’s office had previously stated that the flights were conducted lawfully and authorized by the Florida Legislature, and expressed readiness for future flights to relocate illegal immigrants.
The illegal migrants involved in this incident may have the opportunity to work and live in the U.S. through the U visas granted to them as victims of potential crimes. The migrants, some of whom were from Texas, were flown to Martha’s Vineyard by Governor Ron DeSantis in protest of blue states’ response to mass illegal migration affecting southern states. The Sheriff of Bexar County certified the migrants’ eligibility for U visas following an investigation by the Organized Crime Division. Attorney Rachel Self accused those involved in the scheme of criminal activity and expressed concern about the lack of action from the Bexar County district attorney.
Governor DeSantis’s initiative to draw attention to the Biden administration’s border policies has led to the relocation of illegal migrants from Florida to Massachusetts, sparking a response from residents on Martha’s Vineyard who provided resources and required the activation of the National Guard. The flights were seen as a way to bring national attention to the border crisis, in line with similar efforts in Texas. The legality of the flights had been previously confirmed by the governor’s office and authorized by the Florida Legislature. The migrants’ eligibility for U visas presents them with the opportunity to establish legal status and working capacity in the U.S. as victims of potential crimes.
In summary, the migrants flown to Martha’s Vineyard by Governor DeSantis as part of a protest against blue states’ response to mass illegal migration may have the opportunity to obtain legal status and work in the U.S. through U visas granted to them as victims of potential crimes. The actions of all involved in this scheme were labeled as criminal by an attorney following the migrants’ eligibility announcement. The flights were conducted in accordance with the law and authorized by the Florida Legislature, and aimed to draw attention to the border crisis and the Biden administration’s policies. Residents on Martha’s Vineyard provided resources for the arriving migrants, requiring the activation of the National Guard in response.
