DeSantis hints at transferring Haitian migrants to Martha’s Vineyard

DeSantis Sparks Controversy

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R.) stirred up a storm on Tuesday with his proposition to transfer migrants from Haiti⁣ to Martha’s Vineyard, the exclusive Massachusetts island⁤ that‌ DeSantis previously used to house illegal immigrants in‌ 2022.

“We do have our transport program also that’s going to be ⁣operational,”‌ the ⁣governor revealed during an interview⁣ on Dana Loesch’s radio show. “Haitians land in ⁤the Florida Keys, their next ⁢stop ‍very well may be​ Martha’s Vineyard.”

Gang violence has ⁤plunged Haiti into ‌chaos, putting millions at risk of ‍starvation.

Reacting to the potential influx of migrants, DeSantis has dispatched ‌ 250 additional⁢ officers and soldiers, along with various aircraft and‌ seacraft, to safeguard Florida’s southern ⁤coast. Recently, Florida ⁣Fish and Wildlife officers intercepted a boat carrying 25 Haitians,​ uncovering guns, drugs, and night ⁣vision equipment⁤ onboard.

Recalling DeSantis’s⁤ actions in 2022, where he airlifted around 50 Venezuelan migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, the migrants were swiftly evacuated from the island the following day, escorted by National Guard troops to‍ a military base ⁣on⁣ the mainland of Massachusetts. President Joe Biden criticized ⁢DeSantis ​for what​ he called a “political stunt.”

With the⁣ crisis in ‍Haiti intensifying, Florida⁢ Republicans have exerted pressure on the Biden⁢ administration. Four ‌GOP representatives issued a letter, urging the president to authorize the Navy to carry out maritime interdictions of ⁢migrant vessels.