A federal judge has dismissed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis from a lawsuit regarding his administration’s organization of flights for undocumented immigrants. U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs made the decision, citing a lack of sufficient evidence in the case to establish personal jurisdiction over the governor and his staff.
A federal judge in Boston dismissed a lawsuit that accused Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and others of orchestrating a scheme to fly 50 migrants to Martha’s Vineyard in 2022, but said the charter company that operated the flights can continue. https://t.co/BjSF1SL7Lp
— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) April 1, 2024
“Accordingly, Plaintiffs have failed to show that personal jurisdiction exists over the Individual State Defendants, Huerta and Montgomerie, and thus the Amended Complaint is dismissed without prejudice as to those Defendants,” the judge wrote.
The legal action arose from accusations that DeSantis and his administration had organized flights of undocumented immigrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard, a favored spot for affluent progressives which became a contentious issue in 2022.
However, Burroughs determined that the evidence presented failed to definitively attribute specific actions to individuals within DeSantis’ administration, resulting in the dismissal of the governor and several staff members from the lawsuit.
Jeremy Redfern, a spokesperson for Governor DeSantis, welcomed the lawsuit’s dismissal, reiterating that the flights in question were conducted lawfully and sanctioned by the Florida Legislature.
Redfern emphasized the administration’s dedication to addressing the ongoing crisis at the southern border and underscored the significance of raising national awareness about the issue.
Another day another W for DeSantis.
— Mayor of DeSantisville (@DeSantisville) April 2, 2024
A federal judge on Monday dropped Ron DeSantis from a lawsuit after the Republican Florida Governor coordinated flights of illegal immigrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard in 2022.
DeSantis notches win in lawsuit over migrant flights, but…
Governor DeSantis’ role in the immigration discourse has garnered nationwide attention, with actions by his administration igniting intense scrutiny and debate. The lawsuit against him underscored broader concerns surrounding immigration policies and the treatment of immigrant communities.
While the judgment removes Governor DeSantis from the legal proceedings, it leaves room for potential further legal action against Vertol, the Florida-based company responsible for orchestrating the flights. Burroughs also acknowledged evidence supporting claims that the immigrants may have been singled out based on their Hispanic heritage, condemning such actions as unjust and unacceptable.
The class-action lawsuit, brought forth by Lawyers for Civil Rights Boston on behalf of some of the affected immigrants, hailed the ruling as a triumph, stressing the accountability of private entities in facilitating what they perceive as unlawful and deceitful operations orchestrated by government officials.
Burroughs delivered a stern rebuke to all implicated parties, stating that if the allegations made by the immigrants were proven true, it would be deemed “nothing short of extreme, outrageous, uncivilized, intolerable, and stunning.”
Lawyers representing migrants flown to Martha’s Vineyard nearly two years ago by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis can sue the charter flight company that transported them to the island. https://t.co/oo2E4cbPlg
— WPRI 12 (@wpri12) April 2, 2024
Iván Espinoza-Madrigal, the executive director of the Boston organization, reaffirmed their dedication to pursuing claims against all implicated parties, including gathering additional information for potential future legal proceedings involving Governor DeSantis.
Despite the lawsuit against Governor DeSantis being dismissed, the legal fight persists, with Lawyers for Civil Rights Boston committed to seeking justice for the impacted immigrants.
Florida’s prominent role in the immigration landscape, notably as a destination for migrants from Haiti, Cuba, and Venezuela, underscores the state’s importance in the ongoing border crisis.
Recent reports have highlighted Florida as a primary destination for immigrants utilizing parole programs implemented by the Biden administration, further emphasizing the state’s pivotal role in the immigration discourse.
While Governor DeSantis’ removal from the lawsuit marks a legal triumph for his administration, it does not signal the end of the controversy surrounding the immigration relocation flights.
As the discussion evolves, Florida’s position and actions on the matter will continue to face scrutiny, shaping the broader national dialogue on immigration policy and enforcement.
