Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said Wednesday during a visit to the southern border that Florida is not a sanctuary for illegal immigrants, in response to a California investigation into recent immigration traffic.
DeSantis, the 2024 Republican nominee, met with Cochise County border agents to assess the surge in illegal immigration at the southern border. DeSantis sent two flights to Sacramento in recent days, prompting an investigation by the office of California Attorney General Rob Bonta. (Related: Exclusive: Florida State Releases Video Showing Migrants Signing Waivers To Celebrate California Arrivals: ‘They Treated Us Very Well’)
“I think the borders should be closed and I don’t think they should have any. It’s not Florida’s sanctuary, and we know people want to come to Florida, and if we can divert more before we get there, it would be good for the state,” DeSantis said. said.
“Places like California are giving out benefits, giving out unemployment certificates and all that stuff, so I can see why some people would be interested in going that direction. Florida. So we’re going in the opposite direction, saying we were going to bring in a legal workforce, but we don’t have benefits, we’re not going to do that, and we’re basically trying to block it. Other states are trying to encourage it, so I think they should pay for it,” DeSantis said.
BREAKING: Ron DeSantis Responds to California Investigating Immigrant Transport Through Florida Program
“If there is a policy of opening borders, I think the sanctuary jurisdiction must bear with it. We are not a Florida sanctuary.” pic.twitter.com/nsOrhvMOaf
— Florida Voices (@FLVoiceNews) June 7, 2023
Bonta’s charges center around allegations that migrants were kidnapped. “As we continue to gather evidence, I want to be clear that state-sanctioned kidnapping is not a public policy choice, but an immoral and abominable act. We must condemn the cruel and hateful rhetoric of the nation built, whether its leaders or private parties, who refuse to recognize humanity and turn their backs on giving dignity and consideration to their fellow countrymen. You have to,” said Bonta. I said recently.
Florida’s governor sent two immigrant planes to Martha’s Vineyard in September.
“These volunteers expressed through verbal and written consent that they wanted to go to California. A contractor was present to make sure they could reach a third-party NGO safely. Catholic Charities is being used and funded by the federal government,” the Florida Department of Emergency Management (DOEM) told DCNF.
The Florida DOEM also shared a video with the DCNF showing immigrants signing waiver forms and agreeing to travel.
Here is a video of the effort provided to us by the Florida Emergency Management Agency.@DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/aKrWcdJUVQ
— Jennie Taer (@JennieSTaer) June 6, 2023
Ireland Walker contributed to this report.
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