Investigation Underway Into Florida-Coordinated Flights Transferring Migrants to California

The authorities of the state of California in the United States are investigating a case regarding two private flights that transferred several migrants to the city of Sacramento without having any type of prior arrangement or care. California officials met on Saturday, June 3, with a group of people who had documentation from the Florida state government. According to Attorney General Rob Bonta, the incident is under investigation and possible criminal or civil sanctions against those responsible for the flights are being evaluated.

The Director of Communications for the Florida State Division of Emergency Management, Alecia Collins, reported that the transfer of migrants from El Paso, Texas to Sacramento, California, was coordinated by the State of Florida. Collins stated that the relocation of these people was voluntary, through verbal and written consent. In addition, she added that they ensured that the transferees will arrive safely to a safe NGO.

For their part, the authorities of El Paso, Texas, argued that they did not participate nor were they consulted about the flights that transported a total of 36 migrants to Sacramento. The mayor of El Paso, Oscar Leeser, reported that the city does not transfer asylum seekers anywhere and that they are completely unaware of the circumstances in which these flights occurred.

The California Attorney General’s Office linked both migrant flights to the state of Florida and its contractor, the aviation company known as “Vertol Systems Company Inc.”