UPDATE FROM 6:30 P.M. 9/15/22: Martha’s Vineyard Officials said that work continues to provide humanitarian relief and long-term support for the individuals flown onto the island yesterday by Florida officials. The following is the full statement from Duke’s County:
The Dukes County Emergency Management Association, along with community-based, local, State, and Federal partners are actively arranging longer-term support and resources for the individuals who arrived on-Island on 9/14/22. We continue to provide shelter, food, and care to migrants that arrived on the Island yesterday, and are grateful to the many individuals and organizations who have reached out to offer their support. At this time, physical donations of clothing, etc. may be dropped off via a Dropbox located at the Edgartown Fire/EMS Station at 68 Peases Point Way S, Edgartown. Individuals looking for opportunities to make donations may visit Martha’s Vineyard Community Services website at www.mvcommunityservices.org/helpmigrants.
The original story can be found below:
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UPDATE FROM 2:15 P.M. 9/15/22: The following is a statement from Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker:
“On behalf of the Commonwealth, I thank everyone on the ground who quickly came together to provide assistance on the Vineyard. The Commonwealth has many resources for assisting individuals that arrive in Massachusetts with varying immigration statuses and needs and is working with all partners involved to make sure those resources are available to the migrants that arrived last night. In addition, the Baker-Polito Administration is exploring setting up temporary shelter and humanitarian services at Joint Base Cape Cod and will share additional information as soon as it becomes available.” – Governor Charlie Baker
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UPDATE FROM 10 A.M. 9/15/22: The following is a statement from the Dukes County Emergency Management Association:
We continue to provide shelter, food, and care to individuals that arrived on the Island yesterday. A coalition of Vineyard towns, community-based, and nonprofit groups are assisting in this effort. We will continue to work very closely with our state partners, who have pledged support and resources for any unmet needs that we may have. As we do with any shelter operation, we are focused on meeting the immediate needs of people we are sheltering, and engaged in contingency planning if the situation changes. We are grateful to the many local and neighboring community members who have reached out with offers of support.
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TALLAHASSEE (AP) – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) has claimed responsibility for flying two planes of immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard, escalating a tactic by Republican governors to draw attention to what they consider to be the Biden administration’s failed border policies.
His office says flights to the island are an effort to “transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations.”
The governor’s office didn’t elaborate on their legal status, but many migrants who cross the border illegally from Mexico are temporarily shielded from deportation to pursue asylum in immigration court–as allowed under U.S law and international treaty–or released on humanitarian parole.
In response, local lawmakers have reported that places for food and shelter have been created.
Our island jumped into action putting together 50 beds, giving everyone a good meal, providing a play area for the children, making sure people have the healthcare and support they need. We are a community that comes together to support immigrants. pic.twitter.com/kG5bglhbLe
— Dylan Fernandes (@RepDylan) September 15, 2022
Developing situation on #MarthasVineyard where migrants arrived via charter flight from TX this afternoon. Islanders working hard to provide food + shelter — TY @MVCommServices Sheriff Ogden @DukesCountyEM @DukesOffice #mapoli https://t.co/iMGUmmLLaX
— Julian Cyr (@JulianCyr) September 14, 2022
State Representative for the Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket District Dylan Fernandes (D) tweeted that many of the immigrants flown in from Texas did not know where they were when they landed, adding that they were reportedly promised jobs and housing upon arrival.
Currently immigrants are being dropped off on Martha's Vineyard by chartered flights from Texas. Many don't know where they are. They say they were told they would be given housing and jobs. Islanders we're given no notice but are coming together as a community to support them.
— Dylan Fernandes (@RepDylan) September 14, 2022
Parts of this report were referenced from the Associated Press
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