Christine Jordan Sexton
Florida’s child-welfare agency is asking members of the state’s congressional delegation to probe the role of non-government groups involved with migrants and refugees, a subject that was highlighted by a statewide grand jury that put together at the urging of Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Department of Children and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris sent a letter on Tuesday that asked members of Congress to read a report on the role of these groups that was issued earlier this year by the Florida grand jury.
“We have little faith that the leaders in the Biden administration will do anything to address this on their own,” wrote Harris. “However, you have the power and authority to take action to hold (the Office of Refugee Resettlement) and any contributing provider accountable by making them address these findings.”
The DeSantis administration, along with Attorney General Ashley Moody, have been highly critical of the Biden administration’s policies regarding immigration and the flow of migrants crossing over the border with Mexico. Florida has challenged some of those policies in court.
DeSantis put in place a program that flew migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard in an effort to draw attention to the effort. He talked about immigration while he was running for President where he not only faulted Biden but also criticized former President Donald Trump because he did not get Mexico to pay for a border wall.
“We’ve done more to combat Biden’s border crisis than I would say just about any other state,” DeSantis said this week who also faulted the Republican-controlled House for not doing more to oppose Biden’s immigration policies.
DeSantis first asked for a statewide grand jury to look at immigration back in the summer of 2022. The grand jury issued a series of reports including one that called on the Florida Legislature to impose a tax on all wire transfers on money overseas that could be used on enforcement or help the state deal with unaccompanied migrant children.
The grand jury report on NGOs — which can be non-profits or for-profit corporations including religious groups — was sharply critical. The report said the groups, many of which rely on government funding, “abuse their tax-exempt status and the trust of U.S. taxpayers encouraging migratory travel to the southern border for reasons such as economic mobility (which is not a legal basis for any claim of asylum or refugee status), using resources from federal funds. “
Harris in her letter called the grand jury findings “alarming and have uncovered practices sanctioned by the federal government that indirectly facilitate the human trafficking of unaccompanied children crossing the border. Our open southern border invites human trafficking and jurisdictions around the country that do not uphold the law embolden traffickers and other criminals to act without fear or penalty.”
10 comments
Dont Say FLA
May 15, 2024 at 8:21 am
Florida is a border state? Since when?
Protect Florida
May 15, 2024 at 10:00 am
Florida is a “border state” for Haiti and Cuba – easily accessible by boat. Also Biden flew over 200k migrants into Florida airports last year. We are definitely the most accessible border for many.
Dont Say FLA
May 15, 2024 at 11:54 am
If boats are the vector for immigration, what’s the point of Florida pursuing the border wall unicorn?
200k people flew into Miami last year to change planes and fly elsewhere. Would you prefer that to be stopped? Why? How? Seems like that is good for the Miami economy, having an international airport like that. Should Florida shut it down? Lock it up, perhaps?
Are International Airports the devil? Should airports in USA be domestic only? If so, should planes be allowed in from Atlanta or New York City? That’s a whole lot of the blacks and the Jews, you know. Maybe allow in-state flights only. Hey now, that’s a great sounding platform for Trump 2024! The Donald thanks you for giving him a platform, Protect Florida.
rick whitaker
May 15, 2024 at 2:30 pm
PROTECT FLORIDA, LETS PROTECT MASSACHUSETTS, BORDER STATE
Dont Say FLA
May 16, 2024 at 10:05 am
“Biden flew over 200k migrants into Florida airports last year. ”
And they out of Florida airports, too. The most correct word would be that they flew through Florida airports last year.
So what are we trying to say about flying immigrants through Florida airports?
Is it a bad idea to put immigrants on a plane? Like snakes?
PeterH
May 15, 2024 at 8:26 am
Blah blah blah! Still trying to influence national politics of hate and division!
jean solomon
May 15, 2024 at 10:57 am
8 immigrants travellig to a job in MARION county..died when the bus was hit by a drunk driver…is Desantis heading up a campaign to raise money to help the families of these hard working men? they were headed to a farm to pick melons and vegetables, in the summer-like heat of FLORIDA…where they can be denied water and breaks as Desantis demanded. what the hell is wrong with this guy???????
rick whitaker
May 16, 2024 at 5:41 pm
JEAN, everything is wrong with this guy. how did he get elected twice. that IS the question.
Dont Say FLA
May 17, 2024 at 10:25 am
Rhonda cucked himself for Trump until he got Donald Trump’s endorsement which got Rhonda elected out of obscurity the 1st time around.
First term Rhonda was a fairly moderate governor who was generally well received by most Floridians. First term Rhonda deserved to be re-elected. First term Rhonda earned a second term.
But then he got re-elected, Rhonda showed up, and Everybody Hates Rhonda.
Joe
May 17, 2024 at 11:30 am
Yawn. You’re boring, Tiny D.
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