In 2022, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis created controversy by flying 50 Venezuelans to Martha’s Vineyard, a move that was heavily criticized by the media and Democrats who accused him of using migrants for political gain. Despite the small number of migrants flown in, the outrage was intense, with accusations of inhumane treatment and human trafficking. Local officials also complained about not being informed of the migrants’ arrival. However, a recent report revealed that over 326,000 migrants have been flown into Florida through a Biden parole program, but the media reaction has been relatively muted in comparison.
The Biden parole program, which includes Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans, allows migrants to apply for parole in other countries and then travel directly to the U.S. with a sponsor and full vetting. While the program does not facilitate flights, migrants are responsible for their own travel and receive work permits and two-year authorization to live in the U.S. Despite facing a lawsuit from 20 states claiming abuse of the parole system, the program has been defended by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a lawful and publicly available process to combat irregular migration.
Governor DeSantis has been a vocal critic of the Biden administration’s parole program, calling it illegal and accusing the federal government of encouraging illegal immigration by aiding individuals from foreign countries to enter the U.S. DeSantis cited a case of a Haitian migrant who was flown in via the program and later charged with rape as an example of the consequences of not following the law. DHS has refuted claims of secrecy surrounding the program, stating that the details have been made public and that the processes are part of the administration’s strategy to reduce irregular migration.
While DeSantis has had success in court fighting against Biden’s parole policies in the past, he remains determined to shut down the current program. Despite being removed from a lawsuit related to the Martha’s Vineyard flights, a judge ruled that migrants can sue the aviation company that transported them. DeSantis continues to argue that the program is illegal and calls for its end. The DHS maintains that the program is a key element of border security and has kept hundreds of thousands of people from migrating irregularly, emphasizing the need for expanded lawful pathways and stronger consequences for illegal immigration.
In conclusion, Governor Ron DeSantis has been at the center of controversy over his involvement in flying migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, while also facing criticism for his opposition to the Biden administration’s parole program that has led to a significant number of migrants entering Florida. Despite the media attention and accusations surrounding the Martha’s Vineyard incident, the broader parole program has not garnered the same level of outrage. DeSantis remains committed to fighting against the program, arguing that it encourages illegal immigration and poses risks to public safety. DHS defends the program as a lawful pathway to combat irregular migration and stresses the importance of balancing expanded pathways with consequences for illegal immigration.
