FORBES
Delaware and Illinois could be the next targets in Florida’s Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ effort to relocate Latin American migrants crossing the border, according to a letter from the state’s contracted transportation company, which is reportedly trying to extend the controversial program through December 1.
Vertol Systems Company, Inc., the transportation company contracted for DeSantis’ relocation program, is looking to send 50 migrants to Delaware and 50 more to Illinois, according to a letter sent by company Vertol CEO James Montgomerie to Florida’s Department of Transportation, seen by the Miami Herald.
The transportation company had previously listed the two states in a September 15 memo obtained by CNN, as the next targets in the scheme.
Public records and internal text messages between DeSantis’ top aides released Friday revealed they were closely involved with the program.
DeSantis’ communications director Taryn Fenske told the Miami Herald that although the governor’s office has been focused on recovery efforts from Hurricane Ian, which devastated parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast late last month, the “immigration relocation program remains active.”
Local officials in Delaware (Biden’s home state), had started preparations last month for a Vertol flight from San Antonio, Texas, with a stop in Crestview, Florida, to Georgetown, Delaware—although it was abruptly canceled, following a Texas sheriff’s criminal investigation into the program.
Montgomerie estimated two flights to Delaware and Illinois could cost roughly $950,000, according to the memo.
BIG NUMBER: $12 million. That’s how much money the Florida state legislature earmarked for the program, including the $1.56 it paid Vertol Systems Company, Inc. to send migrants on two Dornier charter planes to Martha’s Vineyard from San Antonio, Texas.
DeSantis said he plans to spend every penny” of it …
