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Fox News is reporting that Gov. Ron DeSantis has gotten in on the trend of border state governors sending migrants to blue states and cities, many of which have sanctuary city policies. As you’ve probably heard. Mayors in Washington, DC, New York City and Chicago have all complained about the practice. Today, Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts joined that list.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis followed through on his promise to drop off illegal immigrants in progressive states, sending two planes full of migrants to Martha’s Vineyard on Wednesday.

A video provided to Fox News Digital shows the migrants deboarding the planes at Martha’s Vineyard Airport in Massachusetts.

“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,” the governor’s communications director, Taryn Fenske, told Fox News Digital.

“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,” she said.

The spokesperson said the state had approved $12 million to “facilitate the transport of illegal immigrants” in its last budget. Martha’s Vineyard is a symbolic choice because it’s home to a lot of wealthy progressives including President Obama, Spike Lee, David Letterman and James Taylor.

A local newspaper called the Vineyard Gazette has some local reporting on the story but the Gazette seems to be suggesting the migrants arrived from Texas.

A plane carrying approximately 48 migrants from Venezuela and Colombia landed unexpectedly at Martha’s Vineyard Airport Wednesday afternoon. Island officials and emergency management representatives were gathering to deal with the situation.

“We’re immigrants,” said Eliase, who said he was from Venezuela. “We came here because of the situation in our country, for the economy, for work, for lots of things. I came here walking. We went through 10 different countries until we got to Texas. There a refugee association put us in a plane and told us there would be work and housing here. I feel good, despite everything. We spent four days in Texas so it’s good to be here.”

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Sen. Julian Cyr said the plane originated in San Antonio, Tex., and appeared to be part of a larger campaign to divert migrants from border states.

So the migrants came from Texas but it appears Gov. DeSantis put up the money for the flight. Notice right away that these migrants mention they came for “the economy, for work” neither of which are considered grounds for asylum under US law. It’s always odd to me that the truth of the situation doesn’t seem to matter.

If you look at the reactions on Twitter there are conservatives who love this and plenty of progressives who are already whining that this is cruel and unfair (some even say illegal). Some have pointed out that Martha’s Vineyard is a small town in off-season with only about 17,000 permanent residents. That’s true but in the summer the Vineyard hosts about 200,000 people so they should be well prepared to host an influx of a few dozen. But already the locals sound shocked this could happen.

“They came with folders with a pamphlet with our information,” said Beth Folcarelli, chief executive officer of Martha’s Vineyard Community Services. “We don’t have refugee services, I had no idea about any of this. I only found out because one of them gave me their folder. Imagine being dropped in here knowing no one. Absolutely no one. It’s heartbreaking.”

Okay, it’s a bit heartbreaking because the situation in Venezuela under their socialist dictator really has been awful. But would the situation have been any less heartbreaking if they’d remained in a small border town in Texas? What makes her think they knew anyone there? These aren’t Mexican nationals, i.e. people who’ve been crossing the border back and forth for decades and who may well have family on both sides of the border. These people are from Venezuela.

Anyway, I’m sure there will be more shock and outrage over this tomorrow. For now, here’s video of the plane.

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