Martha’s Vineyard residents and teams jumped into motion to assist the handfuls of migrants who have been flown to the island with out warning, as Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday stated the state is “exploring” shifting the Venezuelans to Cape Cod.
Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins stated she’s “looking into” how Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis despatched the obvious asylum seekers to Martha’s Vineyard from Texas with out notifying the state authorities or officers on the island.
“We are looking into that case, and we’ll be speaking with members of the Department of Justice,” Rollins stated at a press convention. “Massachusetts isn’t the one place the place this has occurred.
“We have several other sister communities, whether it’s D.C., New York, California, where we’ve seen things like this, and we’re hoping to get some input from the Department of Justice about what our next steps might be, if any at all,” she added.
DeSantis commented on the migrant relocation at a Thursday press convention.
“We are not a sanctuary state,” the Florida governor stated. “And it’s better to be able to go to a sanctuary jurisdiction. And yes, we will help facilitate that transport for you to be able to go to greener pastures.”
Since the migrants arrived on the island, residents and organizations have stepped as much as the plate — offering water, meals and shelter. Two emergency shelters have been rapidly established, as neighborhood members put collectively 50 beds and supplied a play space for the youngsters.
The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services crew was one of many first teams that mobilized Wednesday evening to offer hydration, snacks and different sources to the migrants.
“Resources are limited for long-term sheltering on the island, but folks are doing what they can to meet their immediate needs,” Chris Farrand, the Salvation Army’s regional EDS director, instructed the Herald, including that individuals on the island are “rallying around” the migrants.
“When they (the migrants) realize that people are working to help them, it really increases their resiliency and hope,” he added.
Baker stated the state is contemplating shifting the practically 50 migrants from Edgartown to Joint Base Cape Cod, the place they’d be quickly housed.
“The Commonwealth has many resources for assisting individuals that arrive in Massachusetts with varying immigration statuses and needs and is working with all partners involved to make sure those resources are available to the migrants that arrived last night,” Baker stated in an announcement.
“In addition, the Baker-Polito Administration is exploring setting up temporary shelter and humanitarian services at Joint Base Cape Cod and will share additional information as soon as it becomes available,” the governor added.
Just underneath 50 individuals have been in a shelter in San Antonio after they have been approached and provided housing, job search help and a aircraft journey to Boston the place it will all occur, in keeping with a Massachusetts state senator who spoke with them.
“They were approached by a woman named Perla who made a series of promises and commitments,” state Sen. Julian Cyr instructed the Herald. “Travel with her, sign some papers for housing, basically she recruited these people to travel by plane with no idea where they were going.”
“One woman said she feels like she was kidnapped,” he added. “Moving people without their will or consent or without knowing where they are going, that sounds like trafficking.”
Ivan Espinoza-Madrigal, govt director of Lawyers for Civil Rights, stated his group is already offering counsel to the migrants.
Espinoza-Madrigal stated, “We are also investigating the inhumane manner in which they were shipped across the country, to determine the responsible parties, whether state or federal criminal laws against human trafficking and kidnapping were violated, and what other legal remedies are available.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com”