A federal judge in Boston ruled Monday, April 1, that migrants flown to Martha’s Vineyard by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis nearly two years ago can proceed with a lawsuit against the charter company responsible for their transportation to the Massachusetts island. The lawsuit, brought by three Venezuelan migrants and an immigrant rights group, accuses DeSantis’ administration and Vertol Systems Co. of deceiving them with false promises of employment and housing, thereby infringing upon their civil rights.
The judge’s decision permits the lawsuit against Vertol to move forward, criticizing the operation for exploiting vulnerable individuals for a political debate without valid justification.
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Named in the lawsuit are DeSantis, various high-ranking Florida officials, and a Florida woman alleged to have recruited the Venezuelan migrants. However, the Massachusetts District Court noted it does not have jurisdiction over these individuals.
Lawyers for Civil Rights, representing the migrants, hailed the 77-page decision as a major win.
Julia Friedland, deputy press secretary for DeSantis, remarked that the relocation flights were conducted within legal bounds and expressed anticipation for future immigrant relocation efforts.
