Enlarge image
Refugees in Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
Photo: Ray Ewing/AP
Two planes carrying migrants landed on Martha's Vineyard Island in the US state of Massachusetts on Wednesday.
She was sent by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
In doing so, he is escalating a tactic used by Republican governors to draw public attention to the Biden administration’s border policy, which he believes has failed – and he makes no secret of this intention.
"Yes, Florida can confirm that the two planes carrying illegal immigrants that arrived in Martha's Vineyard today were part of the state's relocation program to transport illegal immigrants to sanctuaries," DeSantis spokeswoman Taryn Fenske told Fox News Digital.
Republican Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said he is in contact with local authorities that short-term housing is being provided.
Rep. Dylan Fernandes, representing Martha's Vineyard, tweeted: "Our island acted immediately and put in 50 beds, gave everyone a good meal, provided a playground for the children and made sure people got the medical care and support , that they need."
At the same time he criticized the action: "The governor of one of the largest states hatched a secret plan to ship children and families just to collect cheap political points from Tucker Carlson and MAGA-Twitter." Fox News broadcaster, "MAGA" is short for Donald Trump's slogan "Make America Great Again".
There was initially no further information about the legal status of the refugees.
Migrants crossing the US border illegally are temporarily protected from deportation to seek asylum in an immigration court, as provided for by US law.
Republican governors have been carting refugees north since April
In April, Texan governor Greg Abbott had buses brought thousands of migrants to Washington, and New York and Chicago were recently added as destinations.
Since May, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey has had refugees brought to Washington by bus.
Passengers must declare in writing that the free rides are voluntary.
The idea behind it: Regions governed by Democrats should take in more migrants, since they are the ones who prevent more restrictive migration laws.
In addition, some cities and regions during Trump's time called themselves "sanctuary cities" in order to criticize and undermine his migration policy, including Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Houston and San Francisco.
DeSantis, being tipped as a possible Republican presidential nominee, now takes the strategy to a new level by using airplanes.
The Martha's Vineyard destination is also new.
The wealthy port city of about 15,000 people is far less prepared for an influx of migrants than New York or Washington.
"Martha's Vineyard residents should be happy about this," DeSantis employee Christina Pushaw tweeted.
»They get their own ›sanctuary city‹.
And illegal immigrants will add diversity to the city.
Right?"
The action could only be the beginning: According to Taryn Fenske, Florida has provided twelve million dollars to transport even more immigrants out of the state.
mgo/AP/Reuters
