Hillary Clinton condemned migrants being flown to Martha's Vineyard as being 'literally human trafficking'
Barry Williams/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
- Hillary Clinton said sending migrants to Martha's Vineyard is "literally human trafficking."
- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis sent 50 undocumented migrants to the Massachusetts island on plants.
- Republican lawmakers are sending migrants to blue cities after blaming Democratic policies for a rise in migration.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemned sending planeloads of migrants to Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts.
They 50 migrants arrived in two planes, on Tuesday, seemingly at the direction of Florida's Republican governor, Ron DeSantis — unwittingly becoming pawns in a political game over U.S. immigration policy.
"Some politicians would rather not only have an issue but exacerbate it to the extent of literally human trafficking," Clinton said while appearing on MSNBC's Morning Joe.
"I happen to believe still the majority of Americans are good-hearted and generous, and when people end up on their doorstep in need, they're going to respond. They'll feed them and house them, and the kids in the AP Spanish class will be let out of high school so they can go and translate."
Gov. DeSantis took credit for chartering planes to transport the undocumented migrants to the island in Massachusetts on Wednesday in an apparent bid to force authorities in another state to take responsibility for them. The migrants were primarily from Venezuela.
Martha's Vineyard is an exclusive vacation destination where former President Barack Obama has a holiday home, and Bill and Hillary Clinton often visit.
Taryn Fenske, DeSantis' communications director, told Fox News Digital that the move was part of Florida's "relocation program to transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations."
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has similarly implemented a policy to send migrants from Texas to blue states.
Other Democratic politicians also condemned the Martha's Vineyard stunt, with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez saying it amounted to "crimes against humanity on refugees."
Martha's Vineyard residents appeared to pull together to welcome the migrants by quickly coordinating shelter, meals, and healthcare.
Massachusetts State Senator Julian Cyr told Martha's Vineyard Times that the move was "deeply disgusting."
"This is a cruel ruse that manipulates families seeking a better life," he said, describing them as "fundamentally racist tactics."