Investigations into those believed to have organized the flights have concluded and will move forward in the coming weeks, officials said.
Volunteers and Venezuelan migrants gather at St. Andrew's Parish House in Edgartown, Massachusetts, in September 2022. The migrants arrived in the area the night before after being flown from San Antonio and dropped off unexpectedly at Martha's Vineyard, causing the local community to mobilize and create a makeshift shelter at the church.
“Those people were in Bexar County legally at that point,” Salazar said of the migrants. Florida Gov. Ron “DeSantis’ administration, I believe, saw that as an opportunity to make a statement with these folks, and they thought they were not going to be held accountable for it.” They waited for the CBP One appointment for 20 days, Felipe said, until he and his son had only $30 left and began fearing for their safety.
At the San Antonio Migrant Resource Center, most migrants are unaware of what documents they were given or under what process they entered the United States. Some have GPS monitoring devices like ankle monitors and cellphones to report to CBP. Most say “turning yourself in” at the border is “by luck,” referring to the fear of being sent back from Mexico to the Guatemalan border. If they’re lucky, they say, they’re let in and given permission to remain in the United States until their court date.
“If there’s no recourse to this and there are no consequences attached to this, then basically, in essence, we’re telling everybody that it’s OK to do this to people,” Salazar said. “My concern is that when the presidential primary kicks off … it will be open season on eminence if we don’t hold somebody accountable. … And human trafficking organizations are just going to say, ‘Let’s just go fishing for humans today.
“It’s the responsibility of Congress to act to effectuate changes in the law, that fix our broken immigration system,” said Boston-based immigration attorney Rachel Self, who provided pro bono services to the migrants and still represents five to date. “The fact that the system is so broken creates a vacuum of criminality. It creates a vacuum of criminality in the human trafficking sector.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘Climate King’ Charles ends France state visit at organic vineyardDuring his three-day trip, Charles has revived some of the vocal climate advocacy he kept largely in check during his first year as king.
Read more »
Salmonella outbreak Chicago: Avondale taqueria facing lawsuits after 55 fall illAt least five lawsuits have been filed against an Avondale taqueria following a Salmonella outbreak that left dozens ill.
Read more »
At least 5 lawsuits filed against Avondale taqueria after Salmonella outbreakAt least five lawsuits have been filed against an Avondale taqueria following a Salmonella outbreak that left dozens ill.
Read more »
Controversial real estate company files for bankruptcy following series of KIRO 7 investigationsEmbattled real estate company MV Realty has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the 33 states in which it operates.
Read more »