By Sharyn Alfonsi, Aliza Chasan, Michael Karzis, Katie Kerbstat | CBS News
Daniel Cauro and his sister, both migrants from Venezuela, were excited when they got onto a plane in Texas after their monthslong journey to the U.S. The siblings had already been lawfully permitted to remain in the U.S pending the outcome of their claims for asylum. Neither one had ever been on a plane and said they were told they were going somewhere where they’d have access to help and housing.
Neither one knew they were going to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. They were among 50 migrants flown from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard on flights arranged by the office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
How did Florida become involved in the Texas migrant situation?
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and then Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey last year bused thousands of migrants to Washington D.C., New York and Chicago.
Florida became involved after its state legislature last year allocated $12 million for the transport of “illegal immigrants,” Taryn Fenske, DeSantis’ communications director at the time, said.
“States like 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’ and support for the Biden Administration’s open border policies,” Fenske said in September of last year.
During a news conference after the transport, DeSantis described the migrants as hungry, homeless and lacking in opportunities.
Florida “offered transport to sanctuary jurisdictions,” DeSantis said at the September 2022 news conference.
“Interesting update on the situation involving asylum seeking migrants being bused out of Texas to Martha’s Vineyard as a result of collaboration between the Texas and Florida governor’s office. As a result of the elements of fraud involving the way in which the transportation was represented to the migrants, including baseless claims of employment and shelter awaiting them, the Bexar county Sheriff’s office has certified many of these cases as eligible for a U-nonimmigrant visa, or a “U-Visa” which is a device authorized by Congress in order to incentivize victims of crimes who may not have legal status to nonetheless come forward and cooperate with law enforcement during investigations. As a result of the cooperation, the victim can gain a work permit, social security card, and even lawful permanent resident status in the United States. An example in which using people for political gamesmanship may have actually backfired. More to come as this case develops.” – Darius Amiri, Rose Law Group Immigration Dept. Chairman
