While Republican governors send immigrants to their Democratic opponents

Florida’s influential Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, took charge on Wednesday, September 14, of sending two planes of migrants to a posh and democratic island in the northeastern United States. According to local newspaper MV Times, a group of about fifty Venezuelan migrants, including children, arrived the same day at Martha’s Vineyard, a wealthy vacation spot that has hosted the Kennedys, Clintons and Obamas. Although Florida’s governor arranged the transport, the migrant planes came from Texas, not his state, the newspaper said.

“Immigrants are being landed on Martha’s Vineyard on charter flights from Texas. Many don’t know where they are. They say they’ve been told they’ll be offered shelter and work.A local Democrat, Dylan Fernandez, tweeted Wednesday evening. “Our Island Mobilized” He added that by providing beds, food and care, people were not warned about the arrival. Three of the migrants told public radio NPR that a woman they called “Perla” approached them near a refugee shelter in San Antonio, Texas, and convinced them to get on a plane to “Boston,” where, she told them, their documents. Processed quickly. They will also have food.

“Republicans are playing politics with people, using them as pawns”lashed out at Joe Biden on the sidelines of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute gala Thursday evening. “What they are doing is wrong. It is anti-American. It’s irresponsible”The US president continued. A White House spokesman called the gesture earlier “shame” And “terrible”. “There is a mechanism and legal mechanisms (…) to manage migrants. When Republican governors subvert this mechanism and use immigrants as political pawns, it’s shameful.”Karine Jean-Pierre said. “This is a deliberate political maneuver” And “terrible”He assessed during his daily interaction with journalists. “The exploitation of vulnerable people as part of a political conspiracy is appalling and cruel”For her part, Elizabeth Warren, the senator from Massachusetts where Martha’s Vineyard Island is located, was outraged.

As soon as border towns bring even a small fraction of what they must pass through every day to their doorsteps, they become enraged. »

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is behind the move

Immigration policy, an explosive issue in the United States, comes just weeks before the midterm elections, with Republicans accusing President Joe Biden of turning the border with Mexico into a sieve. It’s a favorite theme for Republicans, and moving immigrants during flashy moves offers an opportunity to put the debate back at the center of the news. Ron DeSantis, through the voice of his board members, took charge of this transport, thus joining the movement started by the Republican governors of Texas and Arizona, who decided to send immigrants to Democratic cities in the North and East in a very political gesture. targeting their constituencies.

Ron DeSantis is campaigning for re-election in November. He is considered a possible challenger to former President Donald Trump in the race for the White House in 2024. During a speech on Thursday, the Republican Party condemned. “deceit” Democracies that welcome immigrants. “As soon as we bring a small fraction of what border towns have to endure every day to their doorsteps, they get angry.”he shouted. ‘Let the inhabitants of Martha’s Vineyard be happy’Christina Pushau of the Florida governor’s communications team joked on Twitter Wednesday. “Illegal immigrants make the city more diverse, which is a strength. Right?”

“Political Calculation”

Charlie Crist, Ron DeSantis’ Democratic opponent in the gubernatorial race in Florida, denounced “Political Calculation” target “Give fresh flesh to his electoral base”. The candidate said Florida would cover the cost of the move “$12 million to send innocent immigrant children out of our state”.

Texas’ most conservative governor, Greg Abbott, a pioneer of the initiative, campaigned for re-election, and for his part, two immigrant buses were sent to the home of Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. According to Fox News, they arrived in Washington on Thursday morning.

“Vice President Harris says our border “safe” and denies the existence of a crisis. We’re sending immigrants into his backyard to urge the Biden administration to do its job and secure the border.”, the Texas governor tweeted. He says he has already sent 10,000 migrants to Washington, New York and most recently Chicago since April. Transport these settlers to Martha’s Vineyard and Washington “was necessary”For his part, Andy Biggs was elected to the House of Representatives as a Republican from Arizona. “Democratic leaders need to come down from their ivory towers and face reality.”