Topline
A Texas sheriff declared that 49 migrants flown from San Antonio to Martha’s Vineyard last month in a move funded by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) are crime victims, according to multiple reports, which could let them apply for special visas to remain in the country legally, marking the latest unintended consequence of DeSantis’ decision.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) speaks at a news conference at LifeScience Logistics. (Photo by Paul … [+]
Key Facts
Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar (D) certified their status as crime victims Thursday after opening a criminal investigation into the matter three-and-a-half weeks ago, following complaints from some migrants who said they were duped into taking the one-way trip to the wealthy Cape Cod destination.
Attorney Rachel Self, who represents the migrants, told Massachusetts radio station WGBH that her clients will use the designation to pursue U-visas, which are usually valid for up to four years and are intended for victims and witnesses of crimes.
In addition to Salazar’s investigation, DeSantis is facing multiple lawsuits over the trip, including a federal class-action suit filed by four of the migrants last month, stating they were told they were being transported to a major East Coast city like Boston or Washington, only to learn during their September 14 flight that the plane was headed to the remote island.
A Treasury Department watchdog is also investigating Florida to determine whether the state illegally used Covid-19 relief money to fly the migrants to Martha’s Vineyard.
DeSantis’ office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Forbes.
Contra
Obtaining a U-visa can be time-consuming: It usually takes around five years for applications to be approved, and more than 100,000 people are on the program’s waitlist, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Most U-visa applications were approved from 2016 to 2020, but around 18.5% were denied.
Key Background
DeSantis quickly took credit for transporting the migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, with spokeswoman Taryn Fenske saying they were sent there voluntarily to get “a fresh start in a sanctuary state.” It appeared to be the first use of a $12 million fund Florida legislators created earlier this year to remove “unauthorized aliens from the state.” DeSantis’ move came after fellow Republican governors Greg Abbott of Texas and Doug Ducey of Arizona launched busing programs that have relocated migrants from border areas, dropping them off in places like New York City, Washington and Chicago. The Republican programs are apparently a form of protest against President Joe Biden’s border policies, which conservatives argue are too weak. Biden has blasted the relocation of migrants as publicity stunts, calling it “playing politics with people’s lives.”
What To Watch For
DeSantis has suggested there will be more migrant flights in the future, floating Delaware—Biden’s home state—as a possible destination.
Further Reading
Two Thirds Of Republicans Support Sending Migrants To Liberal Areas, Poll Suggests (Forbes)
Venezuelan Migrants Sue DeSantis For Flying Them To Martha’s Vineyard ‘Under False Pretenses’ (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2022/10/13/desantis-marthas-vineyard-flights-could-backfire-migrants-may-be-eligible-for-crime-victim-visas/