Details are gradually emerging about the surprise flight that sent 50 migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard late Wednesday night. (Stick around until the end to read the statement by immigration attorney Rachel Self, who has been working with these migrants.)
Thanks as always for posting critical information about the true nature of the immigration "system" in this country. One note, however. When stating that CNN reported that these immigrants are not here legally, it would be wise to include a caveat. These are people who either presented themselves at an official port of entry, or who turned themselves in to U.S. government officials after crossing the border somewhere outside of an official port of entry. They have been given dates to appear in immigration court. They can apply for asylum and at some point thereafter obtain work permits while their case remains pending. These are not the "illegal immigrants" that this phrase conjures up in many people's minds. They are following the proper legal procedure to the best of their ability (that is, as well as our opaque immigration laws permit) and they were released into the United States by the U.S. government. They may not have any legal immigration status per se, but I would push back against the assertion that they are in the United States illegally.
Thank you for posting this information. It is indeed sickening, this obscenely cruel treatment of these migrants. I hope they throw the book at all the people involved in this human trafficking, but I realize that rich powerful men rarely see jail time.
The cruelty of DeSantis and Abbott is sickening indeed, and I hope it comes back to bite them -- and pretty much all GOP candidates -- when enough decent, normal human beings, including Republicans, show their disgust and vote these bastards out.
The church is St. Andrew's Church in Edgartown, MA. As of today, they have left the island and are heading to joint base cape cod. Highly recommend the Vineyard Gazette for coverage of this event - they are an excellent independent paper. (I lived on the island for many years)
Thanks as always for posting critical information about the true nature of the immigration "system" in this country. One note, however. When stating that CNN reported that these immigrants are not here legally, it would be wise to include a caveat. These are people who either presented themselves at an official port of entry, or who turned themselves in to U.S. government officials after crossing the border somewhere outside of an official port of entry. They have been given dates to appear in immigration court. They can apply for asylum and at some point thereafter obtain work permits while their case remains pending. These are not the "illegal immigrants" that this phrase conjures up in many people's minds. They are following the proper legal procedure to the best of their ability (that is, as well as our opaque immigration laws permit) and they were released into the United States by the U.S. government. They may not have any legal immigration status per se, but I would push back against the assertion that they are in the United States illegally.
Thank you for posting this information. It is indeed sickening, this obscenely cruel treatment of these migrants. I hope they throw the book at all the people involved in this human trafficking, but I realize that rich powerful men rarely see jail time.
The cruelty of DeSantis and Abbott is sickening indeed, and I hope it comes back to bite them -- and pretty much all GOP candidates -- when enough decent, normal human beings, including Republicans, show their disgust and vote these bastards out.
The church is St. Andrew's Church in Edgartown, MA. As of today, they have left the island and are heading to joint base cape cod. Highly recommend the Vineyard Gazette for coverage of this event - they are an excellent independent paper. (I lived on the island for many years)
https://vineyardgazette.com/news/2022/09/16/buses-roll-out-migrants-head-ferry-and-joint-base-cape-cod
https://vineyardgazette.com/news/2022/09/15/vineyard-community-rallies-relief-efforts-assist-stranded-migrants
https://vineyardgazette.com/news/2022/09/14/planeload-venezuelan-refugees-arrive-marthas-vineyard-airport