DeSantis’ migrant flight 'scheme' should be considered 'for federal prosecution': Massachusetts DA

31 July 2023

Nearly one year after Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis coordinated two flights carrying 50 asylum seekers to Martha's Vineyard, Democratic District Attorney Robert Galibois, who represents the island, is demanding the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) investigate the ploy, Politico reports.

Galibois' request comes after California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom urged the DOJ earlier this month to probe Florida after DeSantis admitted to organizing a flight sending 16 migrants from Texas to Sacramento in June, according to CBS.

Newsom noted his administration was "working with the California Department of Justice to investigate the circumstances around who paid for the group's travel and whether the individuals orchestrating this trip misled anyone with false promises or have violated any criminal laws, including kidnapping."

Per Politico, in a letter sent to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland Monday, Galibois asks the "DOJ to investigate allegations that the migrants were misled into getting on the planes that took them from Texas to Martha's Vineyard," and also calls on the department "to help translate interviews that were conducted with the migrants in Spanish after they arrived on the island to help further his own investigation."

The district attorney wrote, "My office posits that, due to the interstate transportation of these migrants, this alleged scheme remains available for federal prosecution."

Politico reports "Galibois said last week that he intends to investigate the migrant flights and wants the Justice Department to do the same, making the announcement a day before DeSantis was due on Cape Cod for a fundraiser for his presidential campaign."

Politico's full report is available at this link. CBS' report is here.

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