Migrants File Lawsuit Against Ron DeSantis for Martha’s Vineyard Move

• Immigrants flying to Martha’s Vineyard have filed a lawsuit against Governor Ron DeSantis.
• The federal lawsuit alleges DeSantis used fraudulent tactics to move them to the Democratic enclave.

Immigrants have filed a federal class-action lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state officials, alleging they “deceived vulnerable immigrants to advance the charter flight from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard for the last time.” Politically Motivated Plans” Week.

“Defendants and their unidentified associates devised and executed a premeditated, fraudulent and illegal scheme centered on exploiting this loophole for the sole purpose of furthering their own,” the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court on Tuesday, said. Personal, Financial and Political Interests.” Massachusetts.

The lawsuit describes the experiences of Yanet and her family, as well as Pablo and Jesus, both under the pseudonym “Doe,” who escaped a humanitarian crisis in Venezuela “only for the defendants to use them as political pawn stunts. “

Causes of action include violations of Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment protections against unlawful seizures and false arrests. They say they were unlawfully imprisoned and that DeSantis and others committed fraud, knowingly causing emotional distress and “participating in a conspiracy” to deprive them of their civil rights.

The lawsuit named not only DeSantis but also Florida Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue, his department and the state of Florida.

The lawsuit shared details of previously undisclosed immigration trips, detailing the days that led to the flight.

At least five people — one offered the name “Perla” and the other offered the name “Emanuel” — waited outside the shelter in Texas and offered immigrants $10 gift certificates, telling them “Pretend to be a vehicle for humanitarian aid from well-meaning people” assistance. ”

According to the lawsuit, those who lured immigrants told them they would receive employment, housing, education and other assistance if they agreed to fly to other states.

Once they agree, they get free hotel stays in Texas. Lawyers representing the plaintiffs wrote that the arrangement “isolated” immigrants “from the possibility that truly well-meaning people would discover how members of the class were abused.”

Immigrants said they were wrongly told they were going to Boston or Washington, D.C., and provided what appeared to be official immigration materials.

But on the day of the flight, September 14, 2022, the migrants were told they were going to Martha’s Vineyard before landing. According to the lawsuit, they found themselves abandoned on the tarmac in the dark, unable to reach the person who had previously arranged their trip.

“These immigrants sought proper avenues for legal immigration status in the United States and experienced acts of cruelty similar to those they fled in their home country,” the lawsuit said. “The defendants manipulated them to deprive them of their dignity, their liberty, their bodily autonomy, their due process. and equal legal protection, and unlawfully interfere with the federal government’s exclusive control of immigration to achieve unlawful goals and personal political agendas.”

Plaintiffs did not seek specific damages, but wrote that economic, emotional and constitutional damages were at least $75,000.

The Florida governor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This is a developing story.