California investigating whether DeSantis involved in flying asylum-seekers from Texas to Sacramento

An ongoing investigation in California is trying to ascertain if Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida organized a flight which brought asylum-seekers from the Texas border to the capital of California, Sacramento, without their prior knowledge. In response, faith-based groups are working to provide food and shelter for these individuals.

The flight, which arrived on Monday, transported approximately 20 individuals, aged between 21 to 30, to Sacramento via private jet, according to Attorney General Rob Bonta of California. This marks the second such occurrence in less than a week.

Mayor Darrell Steinberg of Sacramento and faith-based organizations assisting the migrants have set a press conference for Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Governor Gavin Newsom of California had stern words for DeSantis, labeling him a “small, pathetic man” and hinted at the potential of kidnapping charges.

The silence from DeSantis and other Florida officials was reminiscent of their initial reaction last year when they reportedly flew 49 Venezuelan migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.

DeSantis, a possible presidential candidate and critic of the current administration’s immigration policy, has consistently highlighted Florida’s role in relocating migrants to Democratic states.

His commitment to the migrant relocation program is evidenced by his allocation of millions of dollars through the state legislature and his cooperation with various contractors to execute the flights. Vertol Systems Co., the company allegedly contracted by Florida to carry out the flights, did not respond to requests for comment.

In total, more than three dozen migrants, primarily from Colombia and Venezuela, have been transported to Sacramento over the past week. This development caught shelters and aid workers by surprise since California was not their intended destination.

It appears the tactic of transporting migrants is becoming more aggressive, with DeSantis’ chartered flights serving as the latest example. These two groups sent to Sacramento were not processed in Florida but were instead given Florida-affiliated paperwork in El Paso, then directed to New Mexico, and finally flown to Sacramento.

Bonta had an interview with some of the migrants, who recounted their experience of being promised jobs by two women with broken Spanish. These women then accompanied them from El Paso to Deming, New Mexico, where two men took over for the flight to Sacramento.

The disturbing treatment of vulnerable asylum seekers by other states’ governments, especially Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, is infuriating, according to Bonta.

Several migrants reported forming a protective group during their nearly three-month journey to the US, taking to the streets in various countries to ensure their safety.

Meanwhile, a Texas sheriff’s office announced that it has recommended criminal charges over similar flights to Martha’s Vineyard last year. The local district attorney has yet to decide on pursuing these charges.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico did not offer any specifics on why the immigrants were first transported to New Mexico before their flight to California.

In 2022, DeSantis urged Republican lawmakers in Florida to establish a program dedicated to migrant relocations. The legislation was aimed to address potential legal concerns over the transport of people on flights originating from Texas.

The purported involvement of Florida in these incidents may further strain the political relationship between DeSantis and Newsom, who hold differing viewpoints on issues such as immigration and abortion.

Reporters from San Francisco, Tallahassee, Fla., Austin, Texas, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and San Diego contributed to this news report.

For more AP coverage on immigration, visit: https://bigbignews.net/immigration.

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• California investigates whether DeSantis involved in flying asylum-seekers from Texas to Sacramento
• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis faces scrutiny over flight of asylum-seekers to California
• Sacramento Mayor and faith-based groups address the arrival of asylum-seekers from Texas
• Governor Gavin Newsom criticizes DeSantis and suggests potential kidnapping charges
• Governor Ron DeSantis’ stance on immigration and migrant relocation program
• Details on how the asylum-seekers were approached and transported
• Recommendation of criminal charges for similar flights to Martha’s Vineyard