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September 16, 2022

"We Are Not a Sanctuary State": Florida Governor Sends Asylum Seekers to Martha's Vineyard
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Florida Republican Governor Ron De Santis has sent two planes with some
50 asylum seekers to Martha's Vineyard, an island off the coast of
Massachusetts. De Santis spoke Wednesday.

Gov. Ron De Santis: "Yes, if you have folks that are inclined to think
Florida is a good place, our message to them is 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."

Community members in Martha's Vineyard welcomed the asylum seekers with
food, water and other resources. Many had journeyed for months until
reaching the U.S.-Mexico border in search of refuge and were lied to by
Florida officials - told if they boarded the planes, they'd be sent to
Boston to receive jobs and housing. On Thursday, the White House
condemned Republican governors for using asylum seekers as "political
pawns."


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