Migrants flown to Martha's Vineyard by Gov. DeSantis moved to military base
EDGARTOWN -- A group of migrants flown to Martha's Vineyard on the orders of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will be moved to housing on a military base on Cape Cod.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said Friday the move was voluntary.
Those migrants who decide to make the trip will receive food and services and be housed in dormitory-type lodging, with separate quarters for families.
Authorities haven't said what will happen to those who want to stay put.
Baker has praised the residents of Martha's Vineyard for caring for the migrants, who are mostly from Venezuela, but says the island lacks the resources to provide long-term care.
In Miami, Mayor Francis Suarez told CBS4's Peter D'Oench that a clearer national policy was needed and he criticized both parties for moving migrants around.
"Venezuelan people have suffered tremendously from political persecution like Cubans who came to this country. This is something where both parties share the blame and from our understanding of the reports the federal government sent 70 flights of migrants into the state of Florida and we should not be politicizing these people and I think there has to a rational, national conversation on immigration to solve this problem once and for all and should be based on our economic means as a country and our national security interests. There should also be compassion as we are a country and city of immigrants."
Suarez said "I am opposed to both Republicans and Democrats using people to make political points on something so sensitive as immigration where people are very vulnerable. It is time to solve this problem on a bi-partisan basis."
At the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Miami, CBS4 also spoke with other city leaders.
Muriel Bowser, the Mayor of Washington, D.C., said "I think it's very important the mayors put this issue and questions to all of us. The issues around the southern border are moving across the country in a chaotic way. We need to have coordination and support from the federal government."
Sylvester Turner, the Mayor of Houston, Texas, said "I just believe when the mayors and government leaders sit down at the table and collaborate and work in tandem and work in partnership with a degree of goodwill and respect, positive things will happen. What I would say to people at all levels is look at the way cities and mayors have worked together as role models and we can learn lessons from that."
DeSantis and Texas Governor Greg Abbott have taken credit for the flights. The two planes left Texas and made a stop in Florida's panhandle before heading to Massachusetts.
DeSantis said the flights were part of the state's $12 million relocation program to "transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations."
On Friday, DeSantis said more transports are likely.
"We're continuing to use every tool at our disposal to insulate the state of Florida from the negative ramifications of his (President Joe Biden) reckless border policies. And yes, that involves helping with transport," he said.
"There's also going to be buses and there will likely be more flights. But I'll tell you this, the legislature gave me $12 million. We're going to spend every penny of that to make sure that we're protecting the people of the state of Florida," he added.
DeSantis said "We take what's happening at our border very seriously unlike the President of the United States who has refused to life a finger to secure that border. You have millions and millions of people coming across the border illegally. And there is a record amount of fentanyl coming across the border killing Americans in record numbers. If you have folks who think Florida is a good place to come to, we are not a sanctuary state. It is not defensible for a superpower to not have control over its borders."
Friday morning, a coalition of faith and immigrant groups in Orlando called out the governor's decision.
"They're asking for something that is legal, they're asking for asylum, to go through the process. Some people say go through the process, they're going through the process, this is the process, they are in line, some are doing what we're asking them to do," said Laudi Campo, the Hispanic Federation's state director.
The coalition said they will fight back with votes and continue to push back.