Florida Governor send migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, critics say he used them as political pawns

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis surprised the residents of Martha’s Vineyard when he flew up 50 migrants without warning. 

The community scrambled to find housing and other resources for the migrants because DeSantis did not give local officials any advanced notice. 

Other Republican politicians like DeSantis have been transporting migrants and asylum seekers to cities with Democratic mayors as a political protest of President Biden’s immigration policy. 

“Massachusetts, New York, and California will better facilitate the care of these individuals who they have invited into our country by incentivizing illegal immigration through their designation as ‘sanctuary states,’” said a spokesperson for DeSantis. 

The migrants were left alone without any resources or direction. Some witnesses say they saw the group of 50 walking three miles from the airport into Edgartown.

Rep. Dylan Fernandes of Massachusetts, where Martha’s Vineyard is located, called the uncoordinated transport of the 50 migrants “evil’ and he criticized Republicans for using children as political pawns. Despite the surprise arrival, the community of Martha’s Vineyard rallied together to help the migrants and volunteers quickly gathered food and organized shelters for them.