Treasury investigates Florida governor's migrant flight

White House calls trip to Martha’s Vineyard 'cruel, premeditated political stunt'

Two flights full of asylum seekers were sent to Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. EPA

The Treasury Department's watchdog is investigating whether Florida Governor Ron DeSantis improperly used federal pandemic aid to fly migrants to Martha’s Vineyard as part of his effort to “transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations".

At issue is whether millions of dollars in interest earned on State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, disbursed through the American Rescue Plan, was used to fly about 50 Venezuelans from Texas to Massachusetts in mid-September, with a stopover in Florida on the way.

The recovery funds programme has strict requirements on how the money can be spent.

Documents indicate Florida officials paid local company Vertol Systems $1.56 million for the Martha's Vineyard flight and possibly for one to Delaware, the home state of President Joe Biden, which ultimately did not happen.

The inspector general's office has audit work planned on "recipients' compliance with eligible use guidance", Treasury deputy inspector general Richard Delmar wrote to Senator Ed Markey, who requested the investigation.

Venezuelan migrants outside St Andrew's Church in Edgartown, Massachusetts, after being 'relocated' to Martha's Vineyard. Reuters

“We plan to get this work under way as quickly as possible, consistent with meeting our other oversight mandates and priorities,” the letter said. Treasury does not have a confirmed inspector general.

Mr Markey wrote to the inspector general's office in September, shortly after Mr DeSantis arranged the trip, which received wide publicity.

The governor said the migrants travelled voluntarily to Massachusetts.

“The use of federal Covid relief funds in this manner runs contrary to congressional intent and appears to violate federal law,” Mr Markey and six other Massachusetts legislators wrote in a September 17 letter to Mr Delmar.

Mr Markey said Mr DeSantis was “effectively using Covid-19 relief to score political points by exploiting vulnerable immigrants".

Two busloads of migrants from the US-Mexico border arrived outside Vice President Kamala Harris's home in Washington on Thursday. AFP

Texas Governor Greg Abbott confirmed that the buses from Texas arrived at the Naval Observatory in north-west Washington. AFP

Since April, Mr Abbott has ordered buses to carry thousands of migrants from Texas to Washington, New York City and Chicago to highlight criticisms of President Joe Biden’s border policy. AFP

Migrants from Venezuela, who boarded a bus in Texas, wait to be transported to a local church by volunteers after being dropped off in Washington. AFP

Many migrants who cross the US border illegally from Mexico are temporarily shielded from deportation to seek asylum in immigration court or released on humanitarian role, once they are freed by US authorities. AFP

Mr Abbott said Texas sent two buses of migrants to Washington in an effort to call on Mr Biden's administration to 'secure the border. AFP

A volunteer assists migrants who were bused from Texas to Washington. AFP

Mr Abbott and other Republican governors have bused migrants to Democratic-held cities across the US in opposition to Mr Biden's border policies. AFP

A migrant at Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. Reuters

Venezuelan migrants are seen at the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School, Massachusetts. Reuters

Martha's Vineyard, a summer holiday destination, has a year-round population of only 20,000 people. Reuters

Venezuelan migrants play football outside the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School, Massachusetts. Reuters

Volunteers assist Venezuelan migrants outside St Andrew's Church in Martha's Vineyard. Reuters

The White House has called the trip to Martha’s Vineyard a “cruel, premeditated political stunt".

Mr Delmar did not indicate when the probe would be complete.

Other law enforcement agencies throughout the US have launched investigations of migrant trips arranged by Republican politicians to Democratic strongholds.

The flight has also spawned an investigation by a Texas sheriff and two lawsuits.