Editor’s note: Join Liberty Nation each week to stay up to date on the nationwide ramifications of an open borders America.
Martha’s Vineyard Migrants May Get Visas
In 2022, Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, had 49 illegal migrants sent to Martha’s Vineyard as part of a plan to fight against illegal immigration while Democrats did nothing to help. He wasn’t the only one, of course. The governors of both Texas and Arizona have also sent thousands of border crosses to left-leaning cities such as New York and Chicago. However, those sent to Martha’s Vineyard could very well end up receiving work visas since they are being considered victims of a crime.
A “U Visa” is one that is “set aside for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity,” according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services’ website. The alleged crime is that the migrants were “exploited and hoodwinked into making this trip” as part of a political stunt, according to Sheriff Javier Salazar. They were reportedly promised jobs; however, DeSantis had said the illegals boarded the flights “voluntarily.”
Congress only allows 10,000 of these types of visas a year, but because the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office opened a probe into DeSantis’ decision to transport the immigrants to Massachusetts, these undocumented people who came to the US illegally could become part of the investigation, and, therefore, may be considered victims of a crime. So far, three people have reportedly been given the U visas, but many more have applied.
Haitian Nationals Found on Luxury Florida Yacht
In March, Republican Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida voiced concern that the US could see a surge of Haitian migrants after the country was thrown into chaos when armed gangs committed jailbreaks from two of the largest prisons. More than 4,500 inmates escaped and demanded Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s resignation. Now, a month later, we are seeing Gaetz’ warnings coming true.
On April 19, Miami-Dade officials stopped a 60-foot luxury yacht that held 30 migrants from Haiti, most of them men. They were reportedly put onto another ship and sent back to their country, but officials warn this is only the beginning. An estimated 360,000 people are displaced in the country due to the gang takeover, Reuters explained.
Although Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned March 11, the country still doesn’t have a temporary government to replace him. Many of the gangs in Haiti have combined under the name “Viv Ansanm,” or “living together,” as a way to describe their takeover of the capitol. The Haitian warlord Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier is currently the most powerful person in the country and reportedly recently said on social media, “burn every house you find.”
Immigration in the Polls
A new poll by Redfield & Wilton Strategies created exclusively for Newsweek found that only 20% of Americans think the US has “control over its borders.” In August 2023, it was 34%. Interestingly, those who answered no to whether the US has control over its border included 53% of survey takers who voted for President Joe Biden in 2020. This survey consisted of 1,500 eligible voters and was conducted on April 11.
In an Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll published earlier this month, 56% of respondents said the president’s handling of immigration and border security either “hurt a little” or “hurt a lot.” Furthermore, 46% said former President Donald Trump’s policies had bolstered border security which gives him a 30-point edge over Biden. This survey was conducted between April 4-8 and polled 1,204 US adults.
By the Numbers
In fiscal year 2023, there were 2.5 million illegal immigrant apprehensions, and December broke another record with nearly 302,000 stops. In January, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said that more than 85% of migrants who were held for illegally crossing into the US were released into the country. In November, that percentage was 74, and in October, it was 71%.
Notable Quotes
In response to the grand jury overruling a county judge who had thrown out charges against migrants who reportedly caused a riot in El Paso, Texas, County District Attorney Bill Hicks told reporters:
“If people believe that they can come to our country knocking down barriers, endangering lives, causing our national guardsmen to fear for their lives, having to back away and to have that kind of mentality just so they can get up to a particular gate, they can’t do that.”
What will next week bring us in Open Borders America?
