By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — California officials are continuing to hold Florida responsible for flights Friday and Monday that brought South American migrants from El Paso, Texas, to Sacramento.
The June flights come months after Gov. Ron DeSantis — who recently announced his bid for president — took credit for transporting migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta over the weekend said they were investigating the arrival of 16 migrants from Venezuela and Colombia, who were left outside a church in Sacramento on Friday.
The California officials maintained that the migrants had government-issued documents from Florida. But as of Monday afternoon, Gov. Ron DeSantis and his administration remained mum about the flights. DeSantis’ office didn’t respond to a request for comment.
The same twin-turboprop aircraft that ferried migrants to the California capital city on Friday landed at Sacramento Executive Airport Monday morning, with Sacramento-based KCRA television station reporting that 20 migrants were on the flight and were met by Bonta’s staff.
Both flights traveled from El Paso to Deming, New Mexico, before arriving in Sacramento, according to the website Flight Aware.
DeSantis drew national attention last year when he used state funds to transport 49 migrants from Texas to the posh Martha’s Vineyard enclave. Attorneys representing some of the migrants filed a potential class-action lawsuit alleging the flights violated Massachusetts and federal laws. The lawsuit is pending.
In a tweet Monday, Newsom, a Democrat who frequently clashes with the Florida governor on policy issues, called DeSantis a “small, pathetic man. This isn’t Martha’s Vineyard. Kidnapping charges?”
Florida Democrats also blasted DeSantis, calling the latest round of flights an “immigration stunt” that bordered on “human trafficking.”
“Vulnerable people are being coerced and deceived into these programs without knowing there’s no plan on how to care for them,” said Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried. “It’s cruel and inhumane. Floridians should under no circumstances be footing the bill for this.”
Newsome said in a Saturday press release that efforts were underway to ensure the people from South America “dumped on the doorstep” of the Sacramento church were being “treated with respect and dignity.” He also said the California Department of Justice was investigating who paid for the flight and “whether the individuals orchestrating this trip misled anyone with false promises or have violated any criminal laws, including kidnapping.”
Bonta also issued a statement decrying the migrants’ relocation.
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To Socrates: Maybe the commercial airlines didn’t want the responsibility of boarding individuals who couldn’t provide a Passport or drivers license ? Not mention the possible political repercussions from the White House towards the airlines. BTW: Who is the King you mention ? Is it really JUST about the facts and money spent – as you say ? Don’t recall Socrates speaking out of both sides of his mouth.
“Vulnerable people are being coerced and deceived into these programs without knowing there’s no plan on how to care for them,” said Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried. “It’s cruel and inhumane.
Too bad Icky Weed wasn’t commenting about grooming kids to be trans, because then I’d agree with her.
According to Expedia, one can get a one-way ticket El Paso – Sacramento or San Antonio – Martha’s Vineyard for $260-$280. If you are so inclined, put migrants on a regular flight. Can any of the supporters of our clown Emperor explain to me why Florida taxpayers were forced to pay about $15,000 per migrant to fly them in a private jet? Which is now $35,000 and growing due to litigation. I’m not questioning the intention – we have a simple math problem here. If the actual transportation can be accomplished for about 1% of the money spent, who pocketed the remaining 99%?
Sacramento became a sanctuary city in 2017 so they should have a plan on how to care for these people. That’s what being a sanctuary city means.
So the million or so invaders, errrr…. refugees, that come directly across the border to California are fine, but the 20 that also came directly into California on a Florida purchased ticket are not?
1+1 = some random 6 digit number!
I don’t see what the issue is here. California for years has advertised it’s self as a sanctuary state. Where do all them Democrats think the illegal migrants should go? They all can’t stay in El Paso and Brownsville.
“California Officials Probe Migrant Flights”
That’s funny, Newsome loudly and proudly said that California IS a Sanctuary State. Send them a LOT more.