Earlier this month, a group of asylum seekers from Venezuela found themselves used as political pawns of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
In a story now widely known, the migrants — fleeing economic, social, and democratic crises produced by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro — were promised work, shelter and immigration assistance by a woman investigators have identified as Florida resident Perla Huerta. Those who accepted were put on a plane that was paid for with Florida state funding authorized by the Governor, and deposited on Martha's Vineyard with no advance notice.
As an organization dedicated to the rule of law, we believe it important not just to point out the cruelty of this scheme, but its implications on our democracy. |
"Democracy and the rule of law suffer when those in power use human beings as pawns in their political games. It is the responsibility of all lawyers throughout our country to use their legal training and advocacy skills to protect the vulnerable from such abuses of power and to hold others accountable for their cruelty." |
