MIAMI — By flying dozens of Venezuelans to Martha’s Vineyard last week, Gov. Ron DeSantis inflamed a national debate over U.S. immigration policy and put himself in a position to dictate the terms of the discussion.
But he also granted Democrats an opening just weeks before the midterm elections to attack their Republican opponents over the treatment of families fleeing communist countries — a demographic that is among the GOP’s base in South Florida.
In the days since 48 migrants landed unannounced on the Massachusetts island, courtesy of a one-way ticket from the state of Florida, Hispanic Democrats have persistently slammed DeSantis and Republicans over what they say was a heartless stunt at the expense of people fleeing far-left regimes.
