Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is being sued by several immigrants who were flown to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.
The Washington Examiner reported that the immigrants claim they were convinced to take the flight under false pretenses and suffered from harm that “at a minimum exceeds $75,000.”
The class-action complaint states, “Defendants and their unidentified accomplices designed and executed a premeditated, fraudulent, and illegal scheme centered on exploiting this vulnerability for the sole purpose of advancing their own personal, financial and political interests.”
It continues, “Destitute, stranded, and immensely vulnerable, the individual Plaintiffs and class members were faced with an uncertain situation in an unfamiliar location. They were left in the dark, with nothing, on a tarmac on an island.”
The Examiner noted that the lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
DeSantis’ office issued a statement obtained by the outlet responding to the lawsuit.
“It is opportunistic that activists would use illegal immigrants for political theater. If these activists spent even a fraction of this time and effort at the border, perhaps some accountability would be brought to the Biden Administration’s reckless border policies that entice illegal immigrants to make dangerous and often lethal journeys,” his office wrote.
The statement continues, “It was disappointing that Martha’s Vineyard called in the Massachusetts National Guard to bus them away from the island within 48 hours.”
Additionally, DeSantis’ spokeswoman Taryn Fenske provided Fox News with a copy of a consent form she claims the migrants were given before they boarded the plane.
DeSantis has received criticism for his decision to fly migrants to Martha’s Vineyard from the Biden administration.
During an appearance on “Morning Joe” Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, “The president talks about how it’s important to treat people with dignity. What you’re seeing from Governor DeSantis is inhumane. It is not solving a problem; it is not a solution. It is causing chaos and confusion.”
She suggested the migrants are “being used as a political pawn.”
Watch her comments below:
"The president talks about how it's important to treat people with dignity. What you're seeing from Gov. DeSantis is inhumane. It is not solving a problem; it is not a solution. It is causing chaos and confusion." @PressSec pic.twitter.com/aqiEU5VfGT
— Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) September 21, 2022
After delivering remarks on the DISCLOSE Act from the White House on Tuesday, President Joe Biden was asked about reports that DeSantis is considering sending migrants to Delaware, as IJR reported.
“He should come visit. We have a beautiful shoreline,” Biden joked.