Ron DeSantis Immigration Stunt Backfires

The migrants DeSantis transported on taxpayer-funded private charter planes from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard are now qualifying for “victim visas” to stay in the U.S. and work here.

DeSantis made headlines in September 2022 with his migrant flight stunt, using a loophole to tap into federal Covid-19 stimulus funds, and quickly drawing accusations that Florida and federal laws were violated.

On Monday, the Miami Herald reported that some of these 49 migrants “are now able to legally work in the United States and have temporary protections from deportation — because they are considered victims of a potential crime,” according to the migrants’ attorney, Rachel Self.

When Salazar filed the criminal case with the D.A., he also granted each affected migrant the certification needed to apply for a U visa, or “victim visa,” which is designated “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 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

This month, reported the Herald, several of the migrants’ U visa petitions were granted “bona fide determination” status, protecting them from deportation until their visa is granted and allowing them to obtain temporary work permits.

The Herald’s reporting noted it was “not immediately clear” how many of this group of migrants had received this status, but they could potentially stay in the U.S. for a long time, with Congress only permitting 10,000 U visas per year, “thousands” of applicants on a waiting list, and the bona fide determination giving them protection from deportation while they wait.