Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis defended flying migrant families to Martha’s Vineyard this week and said he plans to spend millions that Florida has budgeted to continue the controversial practice.
“These are just the beginning efforts,” DeSantis said, per CNN. “We’ve got an infrastructure in place now. There’s going to be a lot more that’s happening.”
Florida has set aside $12 million to relocate migrants from the state. DeSantis said Friday he would use “every penny” of the money “to protect Florida.” The money covered the cost of buses and will cover “likely more” flights, DeSantis said, per CNN.
Earlier this week, DeSantis said he used taxpayer dollars to organize flights from Texas for 50 Venezuelan migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, the wealthy enclave about 90 miles outside of Boston.
Some of the families said they were promised housing and other opportunities if they agreed to take the flight.