‘We will not forget it.’ Migrants sent to Martha’s Vineyard — what are people saying?

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office has confirmed it flew migrants to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts as part of the state’s new program.

On Thursday, DeSantis spoke on the flights during a press conference in the Panhandle town of Niceville. He said they were one of the state’s “innovative ways to protect Florida.”

“We take what’s happening at the southern border very seriously, unlike some, unlike the president of the United States who has refused to lift a finger to secure that border,” DeSantis said. “We are not a sanctuary state. 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.”

READ MORE: DeSantis defends sending migrants to Martha’s Vineyard. Critics blast ‘inhumane’ stunt

DeSantis has previously spoken about busing undocumented immigrants out of the state and was given backing by Florida’s Legislature, which included $12 million for the initiative in the state budget for the current fiscal year, which started July 1. Texas has been doing something similar.

The Martha’s Vineyard Times reported that about 50 Venezuelan migrants, some who are children, arrived in two chartered planes to the island, which is south of Cape Cod and is only accessible by plane or ferry.

The news sparked reactions on social media, with people attacking DeSantis and others applauding the move. Two prominent politicians have gone as far as to urge the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and look into pursuing criminal charges.

Here’s some of the reaction:

Charlie Crist

Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who is running against DeSantis for governor, has made several tweets attacking DeSantis for the migrant relocation.

“Everything Ron DeSantis does is to score political points and feed red meat to his base in his thinly veiled attempt to run for President – but it’s really Floridians who pay the price,” Christ said on Twitter.

Nikki Fried

Nikki Fried, the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture who lost to Crist in the recent primary, has asked for an investigation into DeSantis’ move to relocate the migrants.

“Just got off the phone with the [White House]. I’m asking the [U.S. Department of Justice] to investigate Ron DeSantis’ political human trafficking.”

In another tweet she said, “It also appears Ron illegally used taxpayer money to fund this vile stunt. I don’t care how long it takes, we will hold him accountable for this.”

Christina Pushaw

“Martha’s Vineyard residents should be thrilled about this. They vote for sanctuary cities — they get a sanctuary city of their own. And illegal aliens will increase the town’s diversity, which is strength. Right?” tweeted Christina Pushaw, Rapid Response Director for DeSantis’ reelection campaign.

Gavin Newsom

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has also asked the U.S. DOJ to open an investigation, going as far as to look into charges of kidnapping.

Newsom tweeted a picture of the letter he emailed to Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.

“What [Gov. Ron DeSantis] and [Gov. Greg Abbott] are doing isn’t clever, it’s cruel,” Newsom tweeted. “I’m formally requesting the DOJ begin an immediate investigation into these inhumane efforts to use kids as political pawns.”

Jimmy Patronis

Florida’s chief financial officer Jimmy Patronis, a Republican, wrote on Twitter:

“Maybe with @GovRonDeSantis targeting the elite at Martha’s Vineyard, we’ll actually see some action take place to secure our nation’s border.”

Venezuelan American Caucus

Ade Ferro, the director of the Venezuelan American Caucus, said:

“The governor’s attitude does not surprise us, but the cruelty, inhumanity and lack of empathy with Venezuelan brothers and sisters, immigrants who are arriving in this country, fleeing in terror from a cruel and criminal dictatorship … never ceases to impact us.”

“Governor DeSantis fills his mouth talking about communism, talking about socialism, talking about authoritarianism, and he treats us like we’re trash. We will not forget it,” she added.

Miami Herald staff writer Ana Ceballos contributed to this report.

This story was originally published September 15, 2022 at 12:16 PM.

Michelle Marchante

Miami Herald

305-376-2708

Michelle Marchante covers the pulse of healthcare in South Florida and also the City of Coral Gables. Before that, she covered the COVID-19 pandemic, hurricanes, crime, education, entertainment and other topics in South Florida for the Herald as a breaking news reporter. She recently won first place in the health reporting category in the 2025 Sunshine State Awards for her coverage of Steward Health’s bankruptcy. An investigative series about the abrupt closure of a Miami heart transplant program led Michelle and her colleagues to be recognized as finalists in two 2024 Florida Sunshine State Award categories. She also won second place in the 73rd annual Green Eyeshade Awards for her consumer-focused healthcare stories and was part of the team of reporters who won a 2022 Pulitzer Prize for the Miami Herald’s breaking news coverage of the Surfside building collapse. Michelle graduated with honors from Florida International University and was a 2025 National Press Foundation Covering Workplace Mental Health fellow and a 2020-2021 Poynter-Koch Media & Journalism fellow.  Support my work with a digital subscription