Republicans in the Florida legislature have authorized $10 million for flights for border crossers and undocumented immigrants to safe havens. Governor Ron DeSantis (R), is anticipated to sign the legislation.
Republicans in the Florida House late last week approved a bill that will allow the state to spend up to $10 million transporting illegal immigrants and border crossers to sanctuary areas around the country.
The plan was adopted by the Florida Senate earlier this week, and DeSantis is anticipated to sign it into law before February 25.
State Senator Blaise Ingoglia (R) said in a statement to FOX13 News that “the state of Florida is not, and never will be, a sanctuary state. It’s time for those sanctuary cities to back up their words with actions.”
DeSantis captured the attention of the country last year when he flew two planes of illegal immigrants to the ultra-liberal island of Martha’s Vineyard. Soon after they arrived, the island’s authorities proclaimed a “humanitarian catastrophe,” prompting Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker (R) to step in and arrange for buses to take the illegal immigrants to Joint Base Cape Cod.
Days later, several of the illegal immigrants accused DeSantis of violating their Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights by encouraging them to board planes to Martha’s Vineyard and launched a class action lawsuit against him.
The Florida legislature recently passed legislation that seeks to fully fund and enable such flights to states that have established legislation protecting illegal immigrants from deportation and arrest.
Cubans in Florida are particularly fond of flying illegal immigrants and border crossers to sanctuary states. 71% of respondents indicated they approved of DeSantis’ immigration flights in the previous year. In addition, 90% of Republicans and 56% of swing voters supported the flights.
