You Know You’re Over the Target When . . .

 

Am I the only one who’s noticed how Gov. Ron DeSantis is taking even more flak than usual over his transporting migrants to Martha’s Vineyard? Why haven’t Gov. Abbott of Texas or Gov. Ducey been receiving their share of flak?

Now the illegal migrants are being represented by attorneys who claim that offers made to the migrants were fraudulent.

So what’s really going on?

First, let me offer some important background. Ron DeSantis is one of the most highly lauded governors in the country. He is also described as outspoken, fearless, and dedicated to protecting the people of Florida. He has defied the federal government on multiple occasions, ridiculed President Biden, and criticized the Biden administration for not taking responsibility for enforcing federal law. Let’s not forget that DeSantis is running for governor in November, and there’s been speculation that he could run for the Presidency in 2024.

That’s just for starters.

Studying the current situation with these migrants, there seem to be a number of factors that are in question. Here are just a few:

  • DeSantis and his team have been accused of using “a premeditated, fraudulent, and illegal scheme … for the sole purpose of advancing their own personal, financial and political interests.” These accusations are likely politically based, although they probably did think it over their plan before activating it (which could be construed as premeditating).
  • The lawsuit alleges “that the scheme involved DeSantis and other Florida officials working with unidentified defendants to identify and target migrants by ‘trolling streets’ outside a migrant shelter in San Antonio and other locales and that they lured roughly 50 migrants with McDonald’s gift certificates and free hotel stays, with the promise that if they boarded planes to other states they would get jobs, housing, educational opportunities and other assistance upon arrival.” DeSantis explained that many of these people were staying in tents in a San Antonio parking lot, without food, and shelter. Massachusetts does offer assistance to migrants.
  • The lawsuit included, “Defendants manipulated them, stripped them of their dignity, deprived them of their liberty, bodily autonomy, due process, and equal protection under law, and impermissibly interfered with the Federal Government’s exclusive control over immigration in furtherance of an unlawful goal and a personal political agenda. . . ” Since the migrants voluntarily offered to travel to MA (which probably sounded like a better option than the parking lot), and it would be difficult to interfere with federal law when the federal government was doing nothing to serve these migrants, it will be difficult for the lawyers to make these particular arguments.
  • As DeSantis spokesperson said–“The transportation of the immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard was done on a voluntary basis,” Fenske said. “The immigrants were homeless, hungry, and abandoned — and these activists didn’t care about them then. Florida’s program gave them a fresh start in a sanctuary state, and these individuals opted to take advantage of chartered flights to Massachusetts.”

Marco Rubio came to DeSantis’ defense:

‘Think about this, okay? People came into this country illegally, violating our laws and the first thing they do is get lawyers and use our laws to sue an elected governor, to sue a state,’ the senator said. ‘I mean, just think about that. They just got here, they’re not even here legally, they didn’t enter the country the proper way, and they’re immediately in court demanding rights and claims under our laws. This is outrageous. What other country in the world would that even be allowed? What other country in the world would even tolerate that?’

The fact that Rubio’s family came to this country legally must be somewhat irksome.

So here’s the way I see the situation. Biden has destroyed our immigration system. He has allowed the people on our southern border to be invaded. He has allowed drugs, trafficking, and other criminal activity to continue unabated. He continues to blame Trump for the havoc that he, Biden, has wrought. And he has the nerve to be upset with the actions of these governors.

We are definitely over the target.

Published in Immigration
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  1. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Zafar (View Comment):

    If they’re asylum seekers, it isn’t against the law to seek asylum at the border. (Yet. You might think about changing the law.) Who are these people? It’s unclear.

    https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/09/17/desantis-migrants-marthas-vineyard-cape-cod/10410896002/

    Unless you don’t qualify. I suspect many don’t. And they won’t be stopped if they don’t qualify.

    • #31
  2. Zafar Member
    Zafar
    @Zafar

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Zafar (View Comment):

    If they’re asylum seekers, it isn’t against the law to seek asylum at the border. (Yet. You might think about changing the law.) Who are these people? It’s unclear.

    https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/09/17/desantis-migrants-marthas-vineyard-cape-cod/10410896002/

    Unless you don’t qualify. I suspect many don’t. And they won’t be stopped if they don’t qualify.

    Anybody  can seek asylum.  Whether asylum is granted or not is another matter and I think it involves a court hearing, it doesn’t just happen at the border.

    Now I’d agree that it’s ‘problematic’ to just release asylum seekers with a court date for them to show up for (or not), but that’s a system issue that could/should be fixed.  Calling asylum seekers illegal migrants moves focus away from that problem and solution. (Not judging. Australia makes the US look relaxed and comfortable about this issue.)

    I was listening to Yasha Levine’s podcast, and he interviewed someone who had family in Ukraine, and they spoke about how they couldn’t fly to the US (from Poland) to seek asylum, but had to take a circuitous route that led them to (I think) El Paso.  It’s a really interesting look at the process and its constraints in the context of one family’s story.

    • #32
  3. Jim George Member
    Jim George
    @JimGeorge

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Mad Gerald (View Comment):

    MV only offered a 44 hour sanctuary.

    Starring Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy.

    FIFY. 

    You’re welcome. 

    • #33
  4. Jim George Member
    Jim George
    @JimGeorge

    Susan Quinn: We are definitely over the target.

    Susan, obviously I agree 100% as you know how we feel about having the best Governor in the US of A– by a mile. 

    And I also had to send a special note of appreciation for that gorgeous photo of our favorites here in Pensacola – and everywhere they go as well — The Blue Angels, from one whose fandom of those Super Hornets and their magnificent pilots veers at times close to an obsession! I’ve even had the immeasurable privilege of meeting a few of them, including The Boss, recently! 

    I also must note that although I thought I would never, never, ever agree with a word @garyrobbins has to say, I will now gladly quote his comment:

    DeSantis 2024! 

     

    • #34
  5. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Jim George (View Comment):
    Susan, obviously I agree 100% as you know how we feel about having the best Governor in the US of A– by a mile. 

    I do indeed, Jim! And I also know that we are not thrilled about losing him to the Presidency. But desperate times call for sacrifice. We just may need to bite the bullet! BTW, maybe you could do another feature on the Blue Angels–a historic piece or an interview? Would love to see something like that.

    • #35
  6. Jim George Member
    Jim George
    @JimGeorge

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Jim George (View Comment):
    Susan, obviously I agree 100% as you know how we feel about having the best Governor in the US of A– by a mile.

    I do indeed, Jim! And I also know that we are not thrilled about losing him to the Presidency. But desperate times call for sacrifice. We just may need to bite the bullet! BTW, maybe you could do another feature on the Blue Angels–a historic piece or an interview? Would love to see something like that.

    What’s that they say about “Great minds think alike”  or words to that effect? I was just sitting out on the deck savoring memories of the Blues coming home on a Sunday evening and flying right over our house (happened this past Sunday night!) on their way to the Gulf for a westbound trip down the beach, known here affectionately as a “Beach Buzz” and looked forward to all with a viewing spot on the beach. It is a truly amazing sight. And as I thought those wonderful thoughts, I had the idea that I should put together something about “the object of my affections” so you have set me on my task and putting it together will be, in the truest sense of the phrase, a labor of love. 

    • #36
  7. Victor Tango Kilo Member
    Victor Tango Kilo
    @VtheK

    Martha’s Vineyard welcomes 150,000 tourists every summer.

    They want us to believe that 50 migrants were “overwhelming.”

    • #37
  8. ctlaw Coolidge
    ctlaw
    @ctlaw

    Zafar (View Comment):

    If they’re asylum seekers, it isn’t against the law to seek asylum at the border. (Yet. You might think about changing the law.) Who are these people? It’s unclear.

    https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/09/17/desantis-migrants-marthas-vineyard-cape-cod/10410896002/

    I believe they are required to request asylum in the first country they reach capable of granting it. If every country between VZ and the US is an intolerable hellhole from which people need asylum, then : 1) admit it; and 2) that’s all the more reason to lock the border down.

    • #38
  9. Zafar Member
    Zafar
    @Zafar

    ctlaw (View Comment):

    Zafar (View Comment):

    If they’re asylum seekers, it isn’t against the law to seek asylum at the border. (Yet. You might think about changing the law.) Who are these people? It’s unclear.

    https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/09/17/desantis-migrants-marthas-vineyard-cape-cod/10410896002/

    I believe they are required to request asylum in the first country they reach capable of granting it.

    Why are they required to do this?  Where is this set out in international refugee law?

     

    • #39
  10. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Zafar (View Comment):

    ctlaw (View Comment):

    Zafar (View Comment):

    If they’re asylum seekers, it isn’t against the law to seek asylum at the border. (Yet. You might think about changing the law.) Who are these people? It’s unclear.

    https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/09/17/desantis-migrants-marthas-vineyard-cape-cod/10410896002/

    I believe they are required to request asylum in the first country they reach capable of granting it.

    Why are they required to do this? Where is this set out in international refugee law?

    This is US policy.  Why should anyone got further than the closest US embassy?

    • #40
  11. Zafar Member
    Zafar
    @Zafar

    Flicker (View Comment):

    Zafar (View Comment):

    ctlaw (View Comment):

    Zafar (View Comment):

    If they’re asylum seekers, it isn’t against the law to seek asylum at the border. (Yet. You might think about changing the law.) Who are these people? It’s unclear.

    https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/09/17/desantis-migrants-marthas-vineyard-cape-cod/10410896002/

    I believe they are required to request asylum in the first country they reach capable of granting it.

    Why are they required to do this? Where is this set out in international refugee law?

    This is US policy.

    The US and Canada have signed an agreement which requires asylum seekers in either country to seek asylum in the first of them they enter. (If enter the US first then apply in the US, if enter Canada first then apply in Canada.)

    The US has not signed such an agreement with Mexico – though it has with Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras – oddly enough also source countries for asylum seekers (and also countries with FTAs with the US, which to me is counterintuitive).

    Why should anyone got further than the closest US embassy?

    I guess if people feel they have to flee for their lives they can’t wait around for a visa and hope to be alive when it gets processed.  I don’t know about the US but Australian visas for Afghans who helped us during the war have been shamefully delayed by bureaucracy.  You can see that in some circumstances people can’t wait.

    • #41
  12. navyjag Coolidge
    navyjag
    @navyjag

    Jim George (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn: We are definitely over the target.

    Susan, obviously I agree 100% as you know how we feel about having the best Governor in the US of A– by a mile.

    And I also had to send a special note of appreciation for that gorgeous photo of our favorites here in Pensacola – and everywhere they go as well — The Blue Angels, from one whose fandom of those Super Hornets and their magnificent pilots veers at times close to an obsession! I’ve even had the immeasurable privilege of meeting a few of them, including The Boss, recently!

    I also must note that although I thought I would never, never, ever agree with a word @ garyrobbins has to say, I will now gladly quote his comment:

    DeSantis 2024!

     

    Blue Angels coming to San Fran next month for fleet week. Can’t wait.  Only problem is the dog will spend all afternoon under the bed.  Maybe will take her to the Presidio early for our walk and she can appreciate those cool Navy guys. 

    • #42
  13. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Zafar (View Comment):

    I guess if people feel they have to flee for their lives they can’t wait around for a visa and hope to be alive when it gets processed. I don’t know about the US but Australian visas for Afghans who helped us during the war have been shamefully delayed by bureaucracy. You can see that in some circumstances people can’t wait.

    So they walk through seven countries and cross the border illegally, without applying.  Seems illegal, too.

    • #43
  14. Zafar Member
    Zafar
    @Zafar

    Flicker (View Comment):

    Zafar (View Comment):

    I guess if people feel they have to flee for their lives they can’t wait around for a visa and hope to be alive when it gets processed. I don’t know about the US but Australian visas for Afghans who helped us during the war have been shamefully delayed by bureaucracy. You can see that in some circumstances people can’t wait.

    So they walk through seven countries and cross the border illegally, without applying. Seems illegal, too.

    Most of them probably fly, or take a boat, to Mexico.

    • #44
  15. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Zafar (View Comment):

    Flicker (View Comment):

    Zafar (View Comment):

    I guess if people feel they have to flee for their lives they can’t wait around for a visa and hope to be alive when it gets processed. I don’t know about the US but Australian visas for Afghans who helped us during the war have been shamefully delayed by bureaucracy. You can see that in some circumstances people can’t wait.

    So they walk through seven countries and cross the border illegally, without applying. Seems illegal, too.

    Most of them probably fly, or take a boat, to Mexico.

    I doubt they take boats, except illegally.  And I doubt they fly without visas (or without selective blindness from the Biden administration).

    • #45
  16. I Walton Member
    I Walton
    @IWalton

    Let’s be cool about DeSantis.  We need Trump up front to take flack, concentrate the deranged hate and we need him free to run.  DeSantis needs Trump to throw his support to him and urge his supporters to back the younger candidate late in the game.    We can’t have a divided party.  The fraud will be massive so we cannot risk division. 

    • #46
  17. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    I Walton (View Comment):

    Let’s be cool about DeSantis. We need Trump up front to take flack, concentrate the deranged hate and we need him free to run. DeSantis needs Trump to throw his support to him and urge his supporters to back the younger candidate late in the game. We can’t have a divided party. The fraud will be massive so we cannot risk division.

    This sounds like an excellent plan to me. There is the risk, though, that some will see DeSantis as “tarnished” with Trump backing him, but they hate DeSantis anyway.

    • #47
  18. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Susan Quinn: Am I the only one who’s noticed how Gov. Ron DeSantis is taking even more flak than usual over his transporting migrants to Martha’s Vineyard? Why haven’t Gov. Abbott of Texas or Gov. Ducey been receiving their share of flak?

    This is easy.  DeSantis would be an unstoppable force if he was on the 2024 ticket – top or bottom . . .

    • #48
  19. I Walton Member
    I Walton
    @IWalton

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    I Walton (View Comment):

    Let’s be cool about DeSantis. We need Trump up front to take flack, concentrate the deranged hate and we need him free to run. DeSantis needs Trump to throw his support to him and urge his supporters to back the younger candidate late in the game. We can’t have a divided party. The fraud will be massive so we cannot risk division.

    This sounds like an excellent plan to me. There is the risk, though, that some will see DeSantis as “tarnished” with Trump backing him, but they hate DeSantis anyway.

    Trump can concede to a  group of candidates.  We also have to be careful not to buy into the anti Trump derangement syndrome.  It’s fabricated by the deranged media and a lot of stupid and easily manipulated  people buy into it, but that whole movement and the idiots who support them are a profound threat to this country’s future.    That future is what matters now.  The next election is essential to win but it’s a small step toward undoing nearly a century of creeping political insanity.  A lot of people on our side think this is traditional political party competition that can be overcome with time and skill.  I think it’s terminal.

    • #49
  20. Misthiocracy has never Member
    Misthiocracy has never
    @Misthiocracy

    Marco Rubio came to DeSantis’ defense:

    They just got here, they’re not even here legally, they didn’t enter the country the proper way, and they’re immediately in court demanding rights and claims under our laws. This is outrageous. What other country in the world would that even be allowed? What other country in the world would even tolerate that?

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roxham_Road

    • #50
  21. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Golly gee. I just learned that George Soros donated over $1million to the attorneys that filed a suit against DeSantis regarding the migrants sent to Martha’s Vineyard. And DeSantis also made public the consent form signed by the migrants to be transported there.

    • #51
  22. Full Size Tabby Member
    Full Size Tabby
    @FullSizeTabby

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Golly gee. I just learned that George Soros donated over $1million to the attorneys that filed a suit against DeSantis regarding the migrants sent to Martha’s Vineyard. And DeSantis also made public the consent form signed by the migrants to be transported there.

    I heard the George Soros connection a couple of days ago, and it didn’t surprise me in the least. Of course George Soros (financier of district attorneys seeking to undermine the American justice system) would finance undermining the concept of American national sovereignty. 

    • #52
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