DeSantis last year arranged to transport dozens of migrants to
the Massachusetts vacation island of Martha's Vineyard as part
of a campaign by Republican governors in Texas and Florida to
shift some of the immigration burden to Democratic-run cities
further north.
The buses and planes of migrants have increased partisan tension
on immigration, as DeSantis pursues the 2024 Republican
nomination for president.
Sixteen asylum seekers from Venezuela and Colombia were dropped
off at the doorstep of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento
on Friday, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing officials.
They had initially been taken by bus from Texas to New Mexico
and then flown by private jet to Sacramento, California Governor
Gavin Newsom said in a statement issued on Saturday.
Attorney General Rob Bonta, also a Democrat, said in a separate
statement that California was investigating whether there was
criminal or civil liability for those who arranged the flight.
Initial findings revealed the migrants possessed documentation
"purporting to be from the government of the State of Florida,"
Bonta said.
"While we continue to collect evidence, I want to say this very
clearly: State-sanctioned kidnapping is not a public policy
choice, it is immoral and disgusting," Bonta said, adding that
California would welcome the migrants "with open arms."
Responding to the Martha's Vineyard incident, DeSantis told
supporters last year that, "There may be more flights, there may
be buses."
Florida paid $615,000 to an aviation company as part of a
"relocation program of unauthorized aliens," Florida state data
showed.
(Reporting by Daniel Trotta; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
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