[ad_1]
Eight Venezuelan migrants have been flown final week from Texas to Sacramento with little money — some with out sneakers — and the lads do not know why they have been despatched or who paid for the flights, an advocacy group mentioned.
The lads, who crossed the border in Laredo, Texas, had intentions to journey to New York, Florida or Utah and mentioned they have been confused as to why they have been despatched to California, the place none of them had contacts or prospects.
Three migrants landed Thursday morning in Sacramento, then walked about 20 miles to an deal with listed on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement documentation the place they have been advised they’d discover a shelter. As an alternative, the lads arrived at a closed workplace constructing in downtown Sacramento, mentioned Autumn Gonzalez, a volunteer with NorCal Resist, which offers providers to migrants and advocates for immigrant rights.
“It’s by no means occurred to us earlier than that individuals simply randomly confirmed up, needing housing or help,” Gonzalez mentioned.
A safety guard on the closed constructing pointed the migrants to a meals financial institution, the place they have been in a position to get meals and garments. NorCal Resist was then contacted to see whether or not it might assist the lads.
“They mentioned, ‘They don’t have any meals, no cash, they don’t know anybody right here. Are you able to assist them?’” Gonzalez mentioned the meals financial institution advised her.
She added of the lads, “They didn’t ask to return to Sacramento.”
On Friday, NorCal Resist was contacted a couple of second group of 5 males who landed Thursday evening and slept in a park. The lads walked to the identical deal with, solely to seek out the identical closed doorways.
Gonzalez believes the lads got the deal with as a result of the constructing homes places of work for Catholic Charities, a gaggle that aids immigrants however doesn’t present providers at that location.
Gonzalez mentioned the eight males, who have been of their 20s to 40s, have been in search of asylum within the U.S.
NorCal Resist offered the lads with lodge rooms and helped them seek the advice of with an immigration lawyer.
“We’re more than pleased to get them assist and get them located,” she mentioned.
The eight migrants had deliberate to go to different elements of the nation the place they have been advised about Venezuelan communities however are contemplating staying within the space. Some have donated their time to NorCal Resist, serving to the group transfer furnishings and different donations to a Syrian refugee household.
Their paperwork states that they need to report back to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement places of work in Sacramento, however all the males have been confused as to why.
“I’ve by no means seen one thing like this earlier than,” Gonzalez mentioned.
NorCal Resist usually coordinates with immigration officers and different teams in Texas if migrants are being despatched to the world and want help. The teams normally coordinate assets, shelter and contacts. None of that occurred this time.
“I believed it should be some mistake,” she mentioned.
The incident comes as Republican governors in Florida and Texas have been busing and flying immigrants to different U.S. areas. Migrants have been unknowingly transported to New York, Vice President Kamala Harris’ residence in Washington, D.C., and Martha’s Winery in Massachusetts, in what critics have referred to as a political stunt to spotlight immigration on the expense of a susceptible group of individuals.
Talking about these incidents, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Florida is “not a sanctuary state” and would “assist facilitate that transport so that you can go to greener pastures.” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has mentioned that by transporting migrants, “Texas is bringing the border to their yard to alleviate our overwhelmed communities.”
Abbott’s workplace denied involvement within the eight migrants who ended up in Sacramento. A spokesperson mentioned the governor’s workplace is busing migrants to New York, Washington and Chicago.
DeSantis’ workplace didn’t instantly return requests for remark about whether or not its workplace was concerned in flying the migrants to Sacramento.
[ad_2]
Comments are closed.