TX sheriff certifies Martha's Vineyard migrants are crime victims, opening door for special visas

[kpete]

The crime being their transportation to Martha's Vineyard.

A Texas sheriff has certified that the nearly 50 migrants flown to Martha’s Vineyard by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis were victims of a crime. That certification is a key step in qualifying them for a special visa they would not have otherwise been eligible for.

...............

"Based upon the claims of migrants being transported from Bexar County under false pretenses, we are investigating this case as possible Unlawful Restraint," Salazar said in a statement to GBH News. "We have submitted documentation through the federal system to ensure the migrants’ availability as witnesses during the investigation."

The documents are key parts of applications for U-visas, which are reserved for crime victims, or people who witnessed crimes. Immigration attorneys like Self are seeking these visas for the mostly Venezuelan immigrants on the grounds that they were brought to the Vineyard under false pretenses.

“These certifications will ensure that the migrants can continue to help our law enforcement officials, and that they will be able to process and heal from the incredibly traumatic experiences they have suffered as a result of the cruel, heartless acts committed against them,” Self said in a message to GBH News.

https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2022/10/13/texas-sheriff-certifies-the-marthas-vineyard-migrants-are-crime-victims-opening-the-door-for-special-visas

[Johnny2X2X]

1. Every single one should be given visas and then sent where they intended to go

I think people often don't appreciate that the people who show up at our border seeking asylum have plans once they get here. They have friends and family already in the states who are waiting for them. Most of them know people here and were planning on meeting them and getting started in a spot where they have a support system. So you're rounding these people up and shipping them thousands of miles away to places where they don't know anyone. It's wring on so many levels.

Do a lot of people show up without any place to go or any plans? Sure, but they are probably not the norm. Immigrants have many communities of their own in the border states and beyond. If you arrived first, wouldn't you be in contact with your family who's coming after you? People act like cell phones aren't a thing south of the border.

Imagine sending your wife and kids ahead of you and they find a stable place to start a life in El Paso, and when you try to join them, you get within miles of reuniting with them and then you're scooped up and sent to the North East coast?

And the bulk of these people are breaking no laws, they're simply seeking legal asylum.

[LeftInTX]

3. Most do, but most Venezuelans don't have families here

The community is not as established other immigrant communities.
Many of them are homeless in San Antonio. (That is why they were in San Antonio, instead of with host families.)
Most Venezuelans probably want to go to Florida.

The irony: I would not be surprised if most of the Venezuelans are conservative

[marble falls]

2. I hope this is getting press in Florida and Texas.

Last edited Fri Oct 14, 2022, 11:19 AM - Edit history (1)

[LeftInTX]

4. I hope so too!