Massachusetts Senator Edward Markey wrote a letter stating that the Treasury Department Inspector General was investigating Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ flights to Martha’s Vineyard.
The September flights brought the migrants to the vineyard.
The investigation also examines whether Florida has used Covid funds to transfer migrants.
Investigation
In September, DeSantis took responsibility for two flights carrying migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard.
Markey and six other Massachusetts lawmakers wrote a letter to the Treasury Department two days after the flights.
They called for an investigation into the funds used to transport the migrants.
Richard Delmar, the department’s assistant inspector general, confirmed that the regulator’s office is planning an audit of the state’s use of state and local bailout funds.
The letter
The letter that written on October 7 reads:
“We will review the allowability of SLFRF funds related to immigration generally, and will specifically confirm whether interest earned on SLFRF funds was utilized by Florida related to immigration activities, and if so, what conditions and limitations apply to such use.”
The Democratic senator welcomed the department’s decision and released a statement saying:
“For the sake of the migrants who were lured onto charter planes under false pretenses, and for the commendable Commonwealth residents who rallied together to offer support, I hope that this investigation sheds light on whether Gover DeSantis misused funds that were intended for Covid relief for Floridians.”
State program
Previous reports indicate that the flights may have exceeded the original scope of Florida’s undocumented plan.
In the months leading up to the flights, Florida drafted a tougher order for a controversial new state program to transport migrants to other states.
According to a request from contractors and program guidelines, the ultimate goal was to get foreigners who are not legally resident in the United States out of Florida.
However, the plan never materialized.
The flight
On September 14, two planes loaded 48 migrants in San Antonio, not Florida, before landing at Martha’s Vineyard.
The Vineyard is an island off the coast of Massachusetts where wealthy vacationers often spend their summers.
DeSantis’ decision to deploy the flights was part of his criticism of the federal government’s immigration and border security policies.
Meanwhile, lawyers for the migrants have filed a class action lawsuit, claiming they were tricked into boarding the flights.
Migrants were told they would arrive with housing, work and assistance in the immigration process.
However, local officials said no one at Martha’s Vineyard knew they were coming.
Reference:
Treasury Department watchdog is examining DeSantis’ flights carrying migrants to Martha’s Vineyard
