Undocumented Immigrants

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took something of a victory lap this weekend for his controversial flight sending migrants to the tony northeastern island of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.

Incoming House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, said DeSantis overstepped his authority in seeking to “score political points.”

A Texas sheriff has opened a criminal investigation into flights ordered by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that took the migrants to Massachusetts. DeSantis says outrage over the flights was misplaced.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican who is running for reelection, said the flights from Texas were voluntary. But if migrants were lured, some argue they could now be victims of a crime.

On The Florida Roundup, we discussed Gov. DeSantis flying migrants to Massachusetts, a report that shows extremism is increasing in the state, and the plight of sea turtles.

Gov. DeSantis said he expects to see more undocumented immigrants to be transported to out-of-state "sanctuary" communities amid backlash from President Biden and other Democrats.

Providing little or no information was part of the plan as Democratic strongholds were taken by surprise with large influxes of migrants.

Residents across Martha's Vineyard say they were scrambling to care for the nearly 50 immigrants, who arrived without warning at the local airport.

About 50 migrants arrived by plane in Martha's Vineyard, Mass., Wednesday on flights paid for by DeSantis. The governor says the flights help protect his state from the costs of illegal immigration.

After Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis flew dozens of mostly Venezuelan undocumented migrants to Massachusetts, South Florida immigration activists called it inhumane.

In flying 50 migrants from Texas to Martha's Vineyard, DeSantis said: "It’s better to be able to go to a sanctuary jurisdiction, and yes, we will help facilitate that transport for you, to be able to go to greener pastures.”

The measure is part of an executive order by Gov. Ron DeSantis aimed at curbing the number of people being sent to Florida from the southern border by the federal government.