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U.S. NEWS Saturday 18 May 2019

Gov. DeSantis: ‘Dumping’ migrants in Florida is unacceptable

By BRENDAN FARRINGTON they plan to reside, of- “I think it will tax our resourc- ing promises to increase thorities to come into a jail
Associated Press ten with family members. es, the schools, the health hurricane aid and federal or a courthouse,” he said.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — That could be anywhere care, law enforcement, money for Everglades res- “We’ve been very coop-
Florida’s governor plans to erative.” If migrants arrive
fight any federal plans to by flights to Broward and
fly hundreds of immigrants Palm Beach, some may ul-
weekly from the Mexican timately intend to go to cit-
border to South Florida, ies outside of South Florida
saying Friday he’ll take his or even out of state. In any
case to President Donald case, South Florida authori-
Trump. ties said they were bracing
Republican Gov. Ron De- for a potential influx.
Santis made his remarks a Tim Gamwell is the assis-
day after being caught off tant executive director of
guard when Broward and the Guatemalan-Maya
Palm Beach county officials Center, an organization
said they had been notified that serves nearly 1,000 mi-
by U.S. Border Patrol that grants from over 20 coun-
about 1,000 migrants per tries a month. He said it is
month would be sent to important that Palm Beach
the two counties starting in County authorities and in-
about two weeks. stitutions play an active
Federal officials said Friday role in aiding any migrants
there are no immediate who end up there.
plans to fly migrants to Flor- “If this burden is not shared,
ida. if it’s placed on small non-
In San Diego, interim Border profits and neighborhoods,
Patrol sector chief Douglas there is no way that fami-
Harrison said Friday that the lies are going to receive
agency was flying migrants the services that they need
to his location, but was still without widespread com-
considering whether to munity support,” Gamwell
add flights to the Detroit, said. Gamwell said his or-
Buffalo and Miami sectors. ganization already acts as
The agency’s Miami sector a community service hub
includes all of South Florida. for migrants in the county.
Harrison said the agency In this May 9, 2019 file photo. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, second from right, speaks during a bill It hosts food bank events,
was exploring issues includ- signing ceremony at the William J. Kirlew Junior Academy, in Miami Gardens, Fla. legal screening clinics and
ing the availability of air- Associated Press provides free and low-cost
ports and the capacity of early childhood education
charitable groups to pro- in the U.S., and many of state agencies,” DeSantis toration. DeSantis noted programs for families, he
vide migrants with tempo- them would in any case be said. “It’s gonna ultimately that he recently signed a said.q
rary assistance. heading to Latino commu- be something I’m going to bill banning sanctuary cit-
The federal government nities in Florida. have to talk to the presi- ies and appeared upset
has run out of space to pro- DeSantis told reporters in dent about.” immigrants might be flown
cess the thousands of mi- Sarasota after a bill sign- Trump and DeSantis have a to Florida after the pledge
grants who have been ar- ing ceremony that he was close relationship. Trump’s to help federal immigration
riving at the Texas border, unaware of any moves to endorsement propelled authorities.
forcing them to fly migrants start flights to Florida until DeSantis from underdog “We’re going to work with
to Border Patrol facilities in county officials reported status to ultimate winner them to help them remove
other locations for process- that to the media Thursday. in last year’s governor’s criminal aliens. We’re not
ing. Once processed, they He said such flights would race, and DeSantis has going to be like some of
are released and given a amount to “dumping” mi- met with him several times these other states that are
court date in a city where grants on Florida. in the White House, secur- not allowing federal au-