A migrant sports Martha's Vineyard gear during an interview. — Rich Saltzberg
Posted on 09/17/2022 7:03:29 AM PDT by DoodleBob
The migrants and refugees from Venezuela have left St. Andrew’s Church for Joint Base Cape Cod.
Buses rolled from St. Andrew’s at about 10 am and headed for the Steamship Authority. They arrived at about 10:30 am on Vineyard Transit Authority buses and a Yankee bus was waiting. The bus and passengers loaded onto the MV Governor and will be taken to Joint Base Cape Cod via Woods Hole.
Jhorman Cuicas, one of the migrans, told The Times he wishes he could stay.
On board the Governor, another migrant named Paolo told The Times, they were used politically, but he enjoyed the experience on the Vineyard. “The Island is beautiful and the people are very good,” he said.
A passenger on the Governor named Mark Allen, with his dog Coco, welcomed the migrants to America.
The mood was jubilant as migrants, some wearing Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School athletic attire, embraced volunteers they had come to know over their two night stay at St. Andrew’s Church and then walked through a corridor of press to waiting VTA buses. Some migrants carried luggage, others had a child in tow. One man smiled and put his hand over his heart before boarding a bus. Another man gave an enthusiastic thumbs up.
Edgartown Police Chief Bruce McNamee guided each migrant onto the buses. Martha’s Vineyard Community Services board member Jackie Stallings, co-owner of the Ritz, and Dukes County Manager Martina Thornton were among those who said goodbye to the migrants as they headed to the buses.
Meanwhile, the Dukes County Emergency Managers issued a press release confirming that the Baker-Polito Administration announced new shelter and humanitarian support at Joint Base Cape Cod for the approximately 50 migrants who arrived in Martha’s Vineyard this week. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is coordinating efforts among state and local officials to ensure access to food, shelter and essential services for these men, women and children. Governor Charlie Baker also plans to activate up to 125 members of the Massachusetts National Guard as part of this relief effort.
The migrants and refugees have been receiving shelter and food at St. Andrew’s Church since their arrival on Wednesday.
On Friday morning there was a joyful atmosphere outside the church and along Winter Street as the migrants and refugees took group photos and chatted with journalists from around the United States.
According to the press release, Joint Base Cape Cod is a facility already designated by MEMA as an emergency shelter in Barnstable County. The base was used during Hurricane Katrina to house people who were homeless after the hurricane tore through New Orleans and the surrounding communities.
“We are grateful to the providers, volunteers and local officials that stepped up on Martha’s Vineyard over the past few days to provide immediate services to these individuals,” Gov. Charlie Baker said in the release. “Our Administration has been working across state government to develop a plan to ensure these individuals will have access to the services they need going forward, and Joint Base Cape Cod is well equipped to serve these needs.”
MEMA is collaborating with state agencies and nonprofit organizations to ensure that individuals and families have access to a broad range of services, including legal, health care, food and other needs, the release states.
At the Steamship Authority terminal in Vineyard Haven, Tisbury and State Police monitored the transfer of migrants from VTA buses to a Yankee Charter bus. MEMA officials State Rep. Dylan Fernandes D-Falmouth, and Martina Thornton were also at the terminal, as was a composite legal team for the migrants. The charter bus rolled onto the Steamship Authority ferry Governor just before 11 am. That vessel departed for Woods Hole just after 11 am.
Some of the migrants got off the bus once the ferry departed, looking at the waves, chatting amongst themselves and answering reporters’ questions. A few smoked cigarettes, which they were asked to extinguish. On the ferry, immigration attorney Rachel Self said what happened to the migrants qualified as a civil rights violation and a due process violation. She also said some Martha’s Vineyard families opened their doors to migrants, but there is a need for them to be at the base for necessary immigration processes.
The Governor arrived in Woods Hole around 11:45 with MEMA officials, State Police and Falmouth police ready to meet the migrants. Some of the passengers who were aboard the Governor waited on the side to see the migrants’ bus off. The yellow bus was escorted to JBCC by two State Police motorcycle officers and MEMA officials to the cheers of the passengers. Through the darkened bus window, the migrants could be seen waving to those present at Woods Hole terminal.
Fernandes made comments about the migrants’ situation and took questions from reporters at Woods Hole after the bus left. He said a “long-term solution” is being considered and “there are wraparound services” at the base with immigration attorneys ready to help. Fernandes underscored how St. Andrew’s Church was “always temporary.”
“People were offered to leave, it was entirely voluntary,” Fernandes said. “There are vendors for food, water, shelter. There’re separate spaces for people with families. There are mental healthcare wraparound services — mental health, crisis management, regular healthcare, alongside longer-term contractors for case management to make sure that these kids can get some educational opportunities where available and we’re looking for longer term housing solutions as well.”
Fernandes continued by saying, “This is what good government actually looks like and this is what compassionate government actually looks like and I couldn’t be prouder of the people of Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Cod for their incredible work here, and I couldn’t be prouder to be from the state of Massachusetts.”
There were some pieces of information Fernandes did not have answers for, such as whether the migrants will remain in Massachusetts, if the migrants really had appointments with U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) on Monday, or exactly where the migrants will be on the base.
“It’s been a long 36 hours, wherever we’re at, at this point,” Fernandes said. “When [the migrants] got off the planes, they were really confused, they were lied to about where they were going, what was gonna greet them when they were here, and we weren’t alerted to it. No one was there to greet them. But, what made me proud and I think what really comforted the people there was that we’re a community that sprang together to give them the resources that they needed. As soon as we knew they were here, we had an outpouring of support from everywhere to help out.”
An example Fernandes listed was that Spanish-speaking students from the local public schools came and made bracelets with the migrant children. He expressed confidence that the migrants will receive the support they need.
The individuals and families will be housed in dormitory-style spaces at JBCC, with separate spaces accommodating both individuals and families. Families will not be separated.
According to the release, the base is unable to accept public donations. “MEMA is establishing a process to accept relief donations, and additional information is forthcoming.”
The most recent influx of migrants from Venezuela stems from the nation’s current humanitarian crisis, which can be traced back through the country’s complicated political and socio-economic history. With political tensions continuously rising, and a Venezuelan currency in freefall, millions of people are leaving their country, in search of a safer, more stable place to live.
According to the International Rescue Committee (IRC), one of the world’s leading organizations devoted to helping those impacted by humanitarian crises, with increasing violence due to scarce resources, and lack of access to essential health care, those leaving Venezuela are migrating for their survival.
According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, over six million people have fled Venezuela since the death of President Hugo Chavez in 2013, and subsequent election of his successor Nicolás Maduro. Upon his 2018 re-election – after which his presidency was disputed – Maduro was widely criticized by many Venezuelans – and countries around the world – for his strict socialist policies and its adverse effect on the country’s economy.
Political volatility greatly increased following Maduro’s re-election, triggering opposition leader Juan Guaidó to declare himself the president of Venezuela, and in turn, splitting the country’s people–and the world’s nations – into two camps.
As reported by BBC, the fight for power between Maduro and Guaidó, and loyal supporters on both sides, has created a rift all the way to the world’s stage. More than 50 countries, including the United States recognize Guaidó as the president of Venezuela, whereas countries like Russia, China, and Turkey acknowledge Maduro’s claim.
The presidential dispute remains unresolved, as do the impacts to Venezuela’s economy and ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Reporters Eunki Seonwoo, Abigail Rosen, and Rich Saltzberg contributed to this story.
| Joseph Biden and Kamala Harris (Democratic Party) | Donald Trump and Michael Pence (Republican Party) | Howie Hawkins and Angela Walker (Green Party) | Jo Jorgensen and Spike Cohen (Libertarian Party) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aquinnah | 311 | 34 | 1 | 8 |
| Chilmark | 795 | 110 | 3 | 5 |
| Edgartown | 2126 | 841 | 15 | 37 |
| Gosnold | 56 | 22 | 1 | 2 |
| Oak Bluffs | 2401 | 728 | 20 | 32 |
| Tisbury | 2156 | 527 | 25 | 33 |
| West Tisbury | 1918 | 338 | 17 | 17 |
| TOTAL | 9763 | 2610 | 81 | 134 |
Refugees and volunteers take a group photo .... the same volunteers that made sure they all got on the buses and onto to the ferry to get them off the island in 24hrs or less.
A warm embrace before heading off. — Rich Saltzberg .... “Now get the f*ck off my island you 3rd world POS. Unless you want to work in my hotel for nothing, like a slave.”
Martha’s Vineyard Community Services board member Jackie Larkin, co-owner of the Ritz, embraces a departing migrant ... It was so nice to actually see one of you in real life instead of news clips showing you wading across the Rio Grande. Now I can tell all my friends, over some wine and cheese, how heroic I was in helping these poor people, yearning for a better life. Just not one on my island.
Good Lord, how awesome would it be to be a dictator for one day and force, Jackie Larkin - co owner of the Ritz, to house and feed all of these illegals and the planes loads that would be landing. Impose a tax on all the liberals that voted for Biden and Co, to establish a fund for all their medical care, schooling, etc.
Watch them all melt down.
Over 70% of you voted for Biden.
You are getting what you voted for - Dumb MFers...
I always get a kick out of illegals dressing in local garb. Like people are going to say “oh. he must be from around here”
So ironic that MV with 100,000 vacant beds has no room for 50 more people. So sad.
BTTT....the lib meltdown comments are.....priceless.
Well done. But WHO did make the decision to get these people off MV? Loved the smiles and “you’re welcome any time” from the MV residents. Like telling unwanted company at your home, “Was nice to see you but don’t hurry back.”
It seems they can’t make up their minds if these people are migrants or refugees. Wait until they see that this country is becoming like the country they just ran away from.
“”the migrants and refugees took group photos””
Those Vinyahders are just tickled to actually see miggies live and up close. They’ll be breaking out the Mahtha Vinyahd Strong rubber bracelets once all the miggies are out of town and tucked in at Cape Cod. They really dodged a bullet with this one. What a bunch of rich elitist liberal jerks.
Send 50 to a place like Martha’s Vineyard populated by 17000 and they become a virtue signaling curiosity for a day. Have 500,000 of them flood a poor border town of Del Rio of 13000 over a year and they become a catastrophe. DeSantis’ could have sharpened the message to these insulated elitists by siphoning more of the flood that sanctuary states incentivized to flood border states and have them overrun elite sanctuary jurisdictions so they could share some of the true misery they wrought on border states. The human condition dictates there comes a time when the virtue signaling ends and the outrage takes over. Just a matter of numbers
On the upside, Ted Kennedy was not around to offer them a ride off the island.
How can the libs support a team named for killing whales?
—
Their patron country, Russia, killed most of the whales then existing in the 1950, with 1959-1960 season seeing 13,000 Humpback Backed Whales slaughtered. It was one of the fastest decimations of an animal population in world history. But the Soviet 5-Year Plan goals were met!
Killing whales is in their blood.
A few smoked cigarettes, which they were asked to extinguish.
ROTFLMAO
s/b
The migrants and refugees, allowed by the Biden administration to enter the U.S. illegally, were forcibly evicted by by armed military and transported to a military encampment.
The little girl getting on the bus on the 6th pic down looks very sad. You have to wonder about sex trafficking. We know it happens.
“I Went To Martha’s Vineyard And All I Got Was This Stupid Shirt”
ML/NJ
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September 16, 2022 At 11:09 am
Typical liberal response. Pass the problem along to others. Out of sight, out of mind.
September 16, 2022 At 3:47 pm
To be fair, they were dropped here without any notice. When sanctuary cities declared themselves as such, did DeSantis or Abbott try to work out a deal with the sanctuary states? No. Additionally, I’d like to see anyone who can point out exactly where and when Martha’s Vineyard, specifically, ever called itself a “sanctuary city.” DeSantis is an ignorant idiot who is just making stuff up in his head. This island responded graciously and compassionately to an unexpected arrival of destitute people. Realizing that we didn’t have the resources to help them, we sent them to someone who did. Sorry if this was not the response you were looking for. What was the right response supposed to be?
September 16, 2022 At 5:06 pm
What Mathias said…Right on!!!
September 16, 2022 At 6:44 pm
Why do you assume Florida or Texas or Arizona have the resources to deal with the illegals when they show up there?
Blatant hypocrisy
September 16, 2022 At 9:28 pm
Six years ago each of our towns declared their town as “sanctuary’. Each town’s Board of Select persons in perfect unison and unanimously voted to be sanctuary towns, thereby making the entire island as such. Perhaps you weren’t living here at that time or just maybe missed the small print in the newspapers.
Despite the ever present island liberal loud hue and cry of being immigrant tolerant, welcoming etc the fifty Venezuelans were kicked to the curb and “deported’ in world record time………………less than 24 hours. !!
Admittedly, they were treated well during their overnight visit here but that may have been knowing that clandestine plans were being finalized to rapidly
deploy the group off island to Woods Hole. Whew ! Mission complete !
You are pointing your fickle finger at the wrong targets. Desantis and Abbott. are the actual victims here as their states being the unfortunate victims of the Biden/HARRIS border policy, ummm lack of policy. Four million illegals have entered our country unchecked and unvetted and subsequently been airlifted or bussed to U S destinations unknown many in the “dark of morning”. Not too much fanfare either. Here we are/were talking about fifty young adults and all the Neo libs are apoplectic with heads exploding.They talk a good game but when the nut cuttin’ comes they hide and cower to their dark side. Hippocrites & Cowards. !
You, my friend, need to open your eyes then your brain. Me ? I am waiting for the next wave of planes to land at our airport. !
September 17, 2022 At 8:05 am
Deported? To Cape Cod? Where there are facilities that can make it safer and more comfortable for these people so they didn’t have to share TWO bathrooms for 50 people while they’re being processed?
Please link where 6 island towns declared themselves “sanctuary towns”. Amherst, Boston, Chelsea, Concord, Newton, Cambridge, Northampton, and Somerville are the only declared sanctuary cities in the state which have declared themselves as such, legally limiting cooperation with federal immigration laws. As of yesterday, no MV town, or the entire island, is listed. So, link please.
I’m not saying all Republicans lie. But they exaggerate, are too poorly informed to know what they’re talking about, and, you know, they lie. Take desantis, for example. Yesterday he claimed that every migrant signed an affidavit stating they willingly got on the plane going to Martha’s Vineyard. Wonder what language that supposed piece of paper was in? Chinese?
September 16, 2022 At 5:50 pm
Yeah typical “liberal” response is to transport the refugees to another place. And we don’t even see the irony in that remark.
September 16, 2022 At 11:28 am
Embarrassing. People were calling DeSantis a human trafficker when he flew them out to MV — MV turned around, called a mere 50 migrants a humanitarian crisis, and sent them packing. Is that human trafficking too? We could have done better. We need the workers, we have the housing (well — the rich NAMBY’s do).
September 16, 2022 At 5:05 pm
What’s embarrassing are all the non-Massachusetts trolls who think that putting refugees on an isolated island with limited services is helpful. And then thinking moving them about an hour away in the same basic community is problematic? Weird.
September 16, 2022 At 7:30 pm
We don’t even have enough housing for the workers we have. The cost of living makes it hard for the locals who do all the work to make ends meet. Still alot of islanders offered housing to the immigrants. I did!
September 16, 2022 At 7:37 pm
Thank you Grace!!
Perfectly worded!!
September 16, 2022 At 11:52 am
Thank you Cape Cod for stepping up and providing a longer term solution!
Martha’s Vineyard, our work isn’t over yet. Let’s continue to support these friends and expend some political capital to create long-term changes and solutions to our nation’s immigration laws. We can go this, let’s go!
September 16, 2022 At 12:10 pm
Yup, just as I suspected, ship them off. Now let’s pay each other on the back and congratulate one another about what a great job we did.
September 16, 2022 At 2:32 pm
You know Carl, no one spit on them, no one heckled them, no one tried to punch or push them.
I know it’s a low bar to be mentioning all that, but really ,look at the treatment they get in other places.
They got immediate help and support.
Because of the unannounced nature of the stunt, they wound up sleeping in a small church.
You think that’s a better place than the base they are going to ?
As you have pointed out, they can’t legally work. How long would you have them live in a church ?
They are staying together as a group and likely forming a community of their own at the moment. They have much to do , like learn English and file legal paperwork to get those work permits they want so badly. All more easily facilitated at the base. Not to mention basic stuff like showers and hot meals.
I by the way, did offer my guest room to a family.
September 16, 2022 At 6:22 pm
Don… I respect you as a Vet and for your generosity. And I’m sorry that I put you in the position to have to tell everyone about your offer to help in response to my comment. I know you would probably like to keep that to yourself. You sir, walk the walk as I know some others do. I would not expect anyone to be treated harshly and without dignity. My frustration is that there is no long term plan with immigration and our leaders actions are saying that the border is open and everyone is welcome. It’s not sustainable and I just think providing false hope to people in dire straits is cruel. Yes, while on MV they were treated humanly and shipped off again. I don’t think MV elected representatives should tell the world that MV should be a place for these people to settle when they know it’s not possible. Virtue signaling or cruelty but it ain’t right. It a problem that we need to figure out and fast, to your point.
September 16, 2022 At 5:00 pm
Carl, Joint Base Cape Cod is like an hour away. It’s here in Massachusetts, just like Martha’s Vineyard, and not “someplace else.” They’re being moved from an isolated small island where they needed to import lawyers and supplies, to where there are actual accommodations and services. I know it’s not the narrative you were hoping for but, here we are.
September 16, 2022 At 5:57 pm
You do realize that the Florida government unloaded these people here right? Aren’t they the ones responsible for “shipping these people off”?
September 16, 2022 At 12:14 pm
It appears that Martha’s Vineyard, while welcoming the refugees, couldn’t wait to “throw them off the island”!
Actions do speak louder than words.
Enjoy the rest of the summer.
September 16, 2022 At 5:22 pm
Who are the Islanders who threw them off the Island?
September 16, 2022 At 7:31 pm
We did not throw them off the island. You apparently do not live here and are very ignorant about our economy. Do some research
September 16, 2022 At 3:54 pm
So it’s ok for the Federal Government to fly 78 planes of illegals under the cover of darkness and drop them off in Jacksonville? God forbid DeSantis sends 50 to Obama’s/Clinton’s/Kennedy’s back yard and it is inhumane? What is inhumane is that the Biden Administration stopped the wall from being finished , and allowed 2,000,000 plus of illegals into our country including rapists, murderers, druggists, and human traffickers into the border states. And who is is charge of immigration? A Vice President who is so detached from reality that she avoids the confrontation and instead visits the Latin American countries where the root of the problem has occurred. How’s that going Mrs Vice President. And oh, the Vineyard loves the arrival of illegal immigrants because then they can have their yards pristinely manicured, their tables waited on, their homes painted, their groceries packed. Instead of Brazilians doing all the hard labor now, they can underpay some Venezuelans and Argentinians who by the way, won’t pay taxes, will use MV Hospital emergency services on the taxpayer dollar, and ship most of their earned income home. Fix the immigration problem Biden, or start collecting social security. Not in my back yard as the Vineyarders say as they ship the illegal immigrants off to Cape Cod. The hypocrisy on the left is laughable.
September 16, 2022 At 5:52 pm
Keller doesnt believe Biden flew planes of immigrants at night all over the country and if he finally does he will invent some technical reason why the DeSantis flights are different than the Sleepy Joe flights.
September 16, 2022 At 5:58 pm
Oh come on! Jacksonville at least got notice, we didn’t. MV is not the Obamas/Clintons backyard, they VACATION here. Is Camp David the Bush’s backyard? Is that where the Bush’s live? Additionally, they weren’t shipped off because of NIMBYs, they were shipped off due to a lack of resources here. Learn the difference.
September 16, 2022 At 4:17 pm
I shouldn’t be surprised by the stupidity of the right wingers here. They are being treated humanely and send where they can be accommodated simple as that. MV doesn’t have the facilities, you all act like the state can appropriate Obama’s place and move them in there, it doesn’t work like that although if you want to advocate socialism and take the wealthy’s money and property I am all for it.
September 16, 2022 At 4:25 pm
That was quick. And to a military base no less. I would rather have the venezuelans as neighbors than people like this.
September 16, 2022 At 4:28 pm
This latest from De Santis was an act of spite . Toxic and transparent. I hope these poor souls being used as pawns get the help they need to find their way in life.
September 16, 2022 At 4:58 pm
Wow, some serious hard cases in here! Unless you’re a native you and I are all immigrants. I would do whatever was required if I couldn’t feed my family, let alone if they were in constant danger. These folks got shipped over to the air base – a part of the federal government, the same government that handles immigration. It’s not the locals decision for what to do with immigrants. And how we can pass judgements on our leaders for not fixing a multi-decade problem. I know I couldn’t do it and i doubt anyone reading this can. The immigrants, our leaders, all of us are just people trying to make it. Thanks to all who helped with this – we are all humans (except of course Ron DeSantis, he’s a monster). Little levity!
September 16, 2022 At 5:24 pm
C’mon. MV is no place for these folks. They were told that they were going to Boston, not an island. They want work, and the season’s almost over. Add the high cost of living and you’ve got a total snafu.
September 16, 2022 At 5:25 pm
So many buzz words in one comment
Do you have a log of the 78 flights into Jacksonville?
September 16, 2022 At 5:48 pm
Story idea for Mr. Brennan: In the aftermath of the recent story about Venezuelan migrants, every social media outlet related to Martha’s Vineyard, not to mention both Island newspapers, are being bombarded with posts and comments by right-wing trolls across the country — many of whom have absolutely no connection to the Vineyard. It’s an unprecedented assault on the spaces where we have community conversations. How are editors and page administrators dealing with this? To what extent are these outside voices relevant, productive or welcome? This is a moment that may redefine the role and credibility of local media in the eyes of the Island community.
September 16, 2022 At 6:50 pm
“A mere 50 migrants”. Mere?? These are people. Seven of them are children. Save one life, save the world. Change one life, change the world. Now conservatives are belittling those who want to help? One person complained the island “deported” them. Yes, to Cape Cod where they’re more equipped to help more. Disgusting comments coming from conservatives.
September 16, 2022 At 7:34 pm
Another ignorant comment from someone who does not live here
September 17, 2022 At 5:29 am
I’m writing from England. Let me assure the rich, phoney liberals of Martha’s Vineyard that the whole conservative world is having a good, hard laugh at your expense. That Florida Governor should be America’s next President, when Sleepy Joe nods off.
September 17, 2022 At 7:04 am
An island-community with a largely seasonal economy and an affordable-housing crisis comes together to dress, feed and provide shelter to 50 unfortunate political pawns including women and children, who are then brought to a larger community off-island better – equipped to provide longer – term care for these human beings. And you, a member of a hateful, brain-washed MAGA cult manage to find fault and to snipe and criticize from the comfort of your own home. The hatred from the right is despicable.
September 17, 2022 At 8:19 am
It seems quite obvious to me that this situation has been a long time coming. What did the sanctuary states expect? Of course Republican governors are going to send refugees that come crossing their borders to sanctuary states. First of all, it makes sense. If Democrat states want refugees then prepare for them and take them on. That, of course, will never happen because it’s all talk. Secondly, during a time in history when each party seems only interested in engaging in adolescent pissing contests, this is a brilliant political move on the part of Republicans!
September 17, 2022 At 8:20 am
If the ignorant posts on this topic were not this ignorant, we would not have to correct each and every one with the reality of facts. Best not to engage with stupidity because it cannot be fixed. I appreciate the patience shown by those trying to educate those making really dumb statements, but it’s a Sisyphean task. Idiocy is now a virtue for conservative Republicans who cannot think things through. It’s how we got Trump. Honestly, some people treat this page like eager kindergartners willing to learn, but only after spouting off the most ridiculous and racist garbage. If the patience of saints actually helped, fine. But if you’re paying attention, you’ll see these people are hard wired for hate, intolerance, and a self absorbed stupidity.
I’d tell you all how I really feel, but this comment probably will never see the light of day anyway, so I’ll spare George.