Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis followed through Wednesday on a promise to send illegal immigrants to Democrat-controlled areas by sending two planes of illegal immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard, a Massachusetts island, that is home to wealthy progressives like former President Barack Obama (D).
“Yes, Florida can confirm the two planes with illegal immigrants that arrived in Martha’s Vineyard today were part of the state’s relocation program to transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations,” an official for DeSantis’ office said in a statement. “States like Massachusetts, New York, and California will better facilitate the care of these individuals who they have invited into our country’ by incentivizing illegal immigration through their designation as ‘sanctuary states’ and support for the Biden Administration’s open border policies.”
The official continued, “As you may know, in this past legislative session the Florida Legislature appropriated $12 million to implement a program to facilitate the transport of illegal immigrants from this state consistent with federal law.”
Fox News aired a video showing the illegal immigrants getting off planes at Martha’s Vineyard Airport.
🚨BREAKING: @GovRonDeSantis sent illegal immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard on a plane. pic.twitter.com/h1m9Yu1y3S
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 14, 2022
DeSantis released his budget for the state in December 2021 and in it he requested millions of dollars to begin removing illegal aliens from his state.
“In yesterday’s budget, I put in $8 million for us to be able to transport people here illegally out of the state of Florida,” DeSantis said at the time. “It’s somewhat tongue in cheek, but it is true, if you sent them to Delaware or Martha’s Vineyard or some of these places, that border would be secure the next day.”
The budget that was approved by the state legislature earlier this year included more money than DeSantis asked for, providing $12 million for the Florida Department of Transportation to remove illegal immigrants from the state.
This report has been updated to include additional information.