Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ spokesperson confirmed on Sunday that the Governor would continue flying migrants to Democratic states and cities after he flew migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard in September.
The decision came after DeSantis came under fire by the media and Democratic politicians for transporting migrants to a Massachusetts island where former President Barack Obama owns a $11.75 million waterfront home.
His spokesperson, Taryn Fenske, said that while Florida’s government has been preoccupied with Hurricane Ian, the state will continue to relocate immigrants.
“While Florida has had all hands on deck responding to our catastrophic hurricane, the immigration relocation program remains active, “Fenske said.
Ron DeSantis will continue sending migrant flights to blue states after Florida recovers from Hurricane Ian damage, spokesperson says https://t.co/1aKLUO0DAn
— Microsoft News (@microsoftnews) October 17, 2022
Fenske’s confirmation came after reports that the contractor who worked with the Florida government last month has proposed further plans to relocate illegal immigrants to Delaware and Illinois.
A report from the Miami Herald claims that DeSantis aides played a key role in the program to relocate migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard.
‘You have my full support’: Top DeSantis aides played key roles in migrant flights https://t.co/utq0ZnQzDf
— Daniel Uhlfelder (@DWUhlfelderLaw) October 15, 2022
After the Biden administration alleged that DeSantis used federal funds allocated to Florida during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Treasury Department opened an investigation into the Florida government.
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The Treasury Department said it would review the allowability” of Covid-19 aid to states “related to immigration generally, and will specifically confirm whether interest earned on (the) funds were utilized by Florida related to immigration activities, and if so, what conditions and limitations apply to such use.”
JUST IN:
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is under Federal Investigation by the US Department of Treasury for his handling of COVID Relief Funds.
— PoliticsVerse 🇺🇸 (@PoliticsVerse) October 12, 2022
Rich Delmar, the Deputy Inspector General of the Treasury Department, penned a letter responding to Democratic members of Congress who demanded an investigation into the Florida Government.
“We plan to get this work underway as quickly as possible, consistent with meeting our other oversight mandates and priorities, both in pandemic recovery programs as well as the other Treasury programs and operations for which we have responsibility,” states the letter from Delmar. “We are also monitoring legislative and judicial challenges to the use of the funds for this purpose; such developments may affect the scope and timing of our review.”
Fenske indicated that the DeSantis administration is not particularly concerned with the investigation, calling it ‘typical’ and implying that it will not deter DeSantis from continuing the program.
Fenske added that “reviews by Treasury are typical and, as stated by the OIG, are ‘part of its oversight responsibilities.'”
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