Migrant Flights to Martha’s Vineyard: Inhumane Political Stunt or Justified Relocation to Sanctuary Cities?

Two Republican governors drew media attention on Thursday for sending migrants to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts and Vice President Kamala Harris’ residence in Washington, D.C. 

Without warning, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis sent dozens of mostly Venezuelan migrants on two chartered flights to Martha’s Vineyard, an island known for its wealthy liberal residents. The island declared a humanitarian crisis and mobilized to offer aid to the migrants. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott also sent dozens of migrants to the vice president’s residence, the latest of thousands to arrive from Texas in the nation's capital.

Democrats strongly criticized the move, accusing DeSantis and other Republican governors of taking advantage of migrants for a political stunt. Much of the criticism centered around reports that migrants were misinformed about where they were being sent. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called it “disrespectful to humanity.” In the media, voices from the left tended to echo these criticisms. 

Republicans, on the other hand, tended to praise the governors’ actions and describe criticisms from the left as overblown. “We are not a sanctuary state, and 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,” DeSantis said Thursday. Media voices from the right echoed these sentiments, with one Washington Examiner (Lean Right bias) columnist describing liberals as “wailing” over “50 illegal immigrants.”