Bexar County sheriff launches investigation into Florida flying migrants to Martha’s Vineyard

People sit on a sidewalk at the San Antonio Migrant Resource Center, where 48 migrants, mostly from Venezuela, who were sent via Florida to Martha’s Vineyard had originated. (Credit: REUTERS/Jordan Vonderhaar)

Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar has launched a criminal investigation into Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis flying 48 migrants from San Antonio to Martha’s Vineyard last week. The decision comes on the heels of immigration rights groups and Democrats accusing Republicans of exploiting vulnerable migrants for political points by promising them jobs and housing, only to fly them to an island off the coast of Massachusetts that was not warned people needing help were coming.

Salazar, sheriff for the county where San Antonio is located, said it is too early in the investigation to name suspects or know what laws were broken. But he said he is talking to an attorney representing some of the migrants and trying to figure out what charges should be made and against whom.