The Cape and Islands district attorney is the latest official calling on U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to launch federal criminal and civil investigations into Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his administration’s transport of migrants to Martha’s Vineyard.
Cape and Islands DA Robert Galibois on Monday wrote a letter to Garland about the migrant flights last September, when 49 asylum seekers were transported from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard.
Galibois noted that there are “serious indications and allegations” the immigrants were tricked and fooled into making the journey.
“Subsequent reporting and public statements also indicate that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and his administration planned, initiated, funded with taxpayer monies, and executed this enterprise,” the DA wrote to Garland.
“I am conscious of my obligation as District Attorney to investigate any potential criminal activity that occurs within my jurisdiction, regardless of whether it took place before I assumed office,” he added.
Because the migrants were transported across state lines, this alleged scheme could be federally prosecuted, Galibois told the U.S. attorney general.
The DA in the letter referred to a request earlier this month from other officials for the Department of Justice to investigate the flights.
“I stand behind and support a request made to you on July 6, 2023, from the Governor of California, the Attorney General of California, and the Sheriff from Bexar County Texas (where this and a subsequent comparable journey to California originated), to open federal criminal and civil investigations into these incidents,” Galibois wrote.
Soon after deplaning on the Vineyard in September, most of the immigrants were interviewed in Spanish.
“My initial request is that the Department of Justice assist our office in obtaining certified translations and transcriptions of these interviews,” the DA said. “These interviews, coupled with other obtained evidence, would provide crucial support for my initial assessment as to whether further investigation is warranted.”
Galibois later added, “Like my colleagues, I stand ready to cooperate with the Department of Justice, provide and share any information about these flights and schemes, and look forward to working with the Department on this issue.”
This formal request from the Cape and Islands DA for a federal investigation comes in the wake of DeSantis visiting the Cape for a presidential campaign fundraiser over the weekend.