California Officials Investigating Flight of Migrants to Sacramento Immigration Controversy Unveiled
California’s attorney general, Rob Bonta, has started an investigation into a recent incident involving the sudden arrival of sixteen migrants from Venezuela and Colombia in Sacramento. These migrants were brought to California on a private chartered jet and left outside a church building. State officials accuse a contractor associated with a state-funded Florida program of misleading the migrants by promising them jobs in exchange for transportation to California.
According to the attorney general, the migrants had documents showing the involvement of the Florida Division of Emergency Management and its contractor, Vertol Systems Company, in facilitating their travel. Mr. Bonta revealed that the migrants, who had limited English proficiency, were approached near El Paso and forced into signing the documents. Some individuals did not fully understand their destination or declined to sign.
This incident resembles controversial tactics used by hard-line Republican governors in opposition to President Biden’s immigration policies. Vertol Systems had previously transported South American migrants from San Antonio to Martha’s Vineyard under the direction of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican known for his strict stance on immigration. Representatives for Vertol and Governor DeSantis have not responded to inquiries yet.
During a meeting with the migrants, both Mr. Bonta and Governor Gavin Newsom of California, who are both Democrats, assured them of their well-being while in the state. The attorney general mentioned that the group documented their journey through photos and videos, capturing the individuals who approached them in Texas and accompanied them to Sacramento.
Mr. Bonta is strongly committed to pursuing criminal or civil charges against those involved in the transportation, condemning their actions as morally wrong. He emphasized that the state of Florida orchestrated the movement of migrants from Texas to New Mexico and California using its budget, despite the migrants never intending to reach Florida.
California, along with the city of Sacramento and local nonprofits, is working diligently to treat the migrants with respect and dignity. They are assisting them with their immigration cases and facilitating their journey to their intended destinations. Nonprofit organizations in Sacramento have confirmed their engagement with the migrants.
Among the migrants are individuals who have formed bonds for safety and have experienced challenging circumstances. This includes an 18-year-old girl who celebrated her birthday during the journey and a father who left his six children behind to seek a better future for his family.
Mr. Bonta highlighted the heartbreaking plea of a man who played a voice message from his 9-year-old daughter, expressing their hunger and his wife’s illness. These migrants were approached outside a migrant center near El Paso by individuals claiming to represent a private contractor. They offered assistance in securing jobs, shelter, clothing, and other necessities. The migrants were then asked to sign waivers stating their participation in a voluntary transportation program administered by the Florida Division of Emergency Management and Vertol Systems.
The waivers, similar to those used in previous transport cases, did not mention employment opportunities and released Florida and Vertol from any liability. Mr. Bonta acknowledged that Florida authorities might argue the migrants provided informed consent, similar to Mr. DeSantis’s position during the Martha’s Vineyard incident. However, he stressed that the migrants were not fully informed, and their consent was not entirely voluntary.
After being transported to New Mexico, the migrants were flown to Sacramento and left outside a Roman Catholic Diocese administrative building. They arrived with backpacks containing their belongings, minimal information about their whereabouts, and a promise that someone would assist them shortly.
Community organizations, including Sacramento ACT, are actively working to secure housing for the migrants and provide support for their next steps. Some migrants have upcoming court appointments in other parts of the country, with out-of-state court dates scheduled within the next two weeks, according to Mr. Bonta.
Mayor Darrell Steinberg of Sacramento expressed his support for the attorney general’s investigation, insisting that those responsible for this incident must be held accountable. This marks the second occasion in recent months where migrants have been transported to Sacramento from Texas under unclear circumstances.
Flight data shows a direct flight between Deming Municipal Airport in Luna County, New Mexico, and Sacramento McClellan Airport, landing on Friday morning. Berry Aviation, a charter service based in San Marcos, confirmed that the flight was government-run but did not provide further details.
Vertol Systems, the company allegedly involved in transporting the migrants, is an aviation firm and defense contractor based in Destin, Florida. It has connections to Republican leaders in Florida and Larry Keefe, one of Mr. DeSantis’s top aides, who previously represented the firm in lawsuits and spearheaded the state’s migrant flight program.
Governor DeSantis and his Republican allies in Florida have strongly supported the migrant flight program, as seen in the recent expansion that allocated a $12 million budget and involved three private contracting companies, including Vertol, to manage the program.
In conclusion, the investigation into the flight of migrants to Sacramento has uncovered a complex immigration controversy. The focus now is on identifying the responsible parties and addressing the legal and humanitarian implications of this incident. Efforts are underway to support the migrants during their immigration journey and ensure their well-being as they navigate their respective court cases and intended destinations.
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