MARTHA'S VINEYARD, Mass. — The United States Department of the Treasury has launched an investigation into Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ alleged use of COVID-19 relief funds to fly dozens of migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard last month.
In a tweet overnight, Sen. Ed Markey confirmed the investigation into DeSantis’ alleged misuse of taxpayer funds to “cruelly transport the immigrants under false pretenses and without any consideration for their personal dignity or basic needs.”
On Sept. 14, two planes carrying 50 Venezuelans took off from San Antonio and landed on the Vineyard. DeSantis said the flights to Martha’s Vineyard were part of an effort to “transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations,” adding that they would be given more options to succeed in Massachusetts.
The migrants were bused to Joint Base Cape Cod two days after arriving on the island, where they were given dormitory-style housing, food, and services.
Lawyers for Civil Rights have since filed a lawsuit on behalf of the migrants in federal court, claiming DeSantis and his transportation secretary engaged in a “fraudulent and discriminatory scheme” to relocate them.
DeSantis’ act was a tactic that Republican-led states are deploying to move loads of immigrants to Democrat-run states as a form of protest against the rise of illegal immigration and draw attention to what they consider to be the Biden administration’s failed border policies.
This was not the first time a large group of migrants was sent to a city unannounced—it has also happened in New York City and Chicago.
The Coronavirus Relief Fund was established during the pandemic to provide payments to state, local, and tribal governments navigating the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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