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"It
is unconscionable to use people as political props by persuading
them to travel to another state based on false or deceptive
representations," Newsom said in a letter to U.S. Attorney
General Merrick Garland.
"We urge the USDOJ to investigate potential violations of
federal law by those involved in this scheme."
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is seeking the Republican
Party's 2024 presidential nomination, last year arranged to
transport dozens of migrants to the Massachusetts vacation
island of Martha's Vineyard. It was part of a campaign by
Republican governors in Texas and Florida to shift some of the
immigration burden to Democratic-run cities further north.
Florida also acknowledged a role in sending two flights of
migrants to California last month, saying all of them traveled
voluntarily.
Results of a Bexar County sheriff investigation into the
Martha's Vineyard flight concluded that individuals were
"induced to accept free travel based on false representations"
that they would be transported from San Antonio to Martha's
Vineyard and receive housing, education and employment
opportunities, Newsom said.
A referral for potential criminal prosecution for that flight is
pending with the Bexas County District Attorney's Office and the
California Department of Justice has opened criminal and civil
investigations into the circumstances of the Sacramento flights.
"Although separate investigations into potential violations of
state laws remain active, the U.S. Department of Justice has a
unique capability to investigate cases where, as here, the
scheme stretches from Massachusetts to California and touches
upon no fewer than five states," Newsom said.
(Reporting by Jasper Ward; Editing by Richard Chang)
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