MA Governor Deploys National Guard Amid Martha’s Vineyard ’Crisis’

Massachusets Governor Charlie Baker (R) activated 125 National Guard members in response to the 50 illegal immigrants that were flown to Martha’s Vineyard earlier this week.

Emilie Ikeda with NBC shared the news:

“HAPPENING NOW: Migrants, flown into Martha’s Vineyard by Fl’s governor, are boarding buses. They’ll be heading to Joint Base Cape Cod, according to officials. 125 Mass National Guard members are being activated to assist. @NBCNews“

HAPPENING NOW: Migrants, flown into Martha’s Vineyard by Fl’s governor, are boarding buses. They’ll be heading to Joint Base Cape Cod, according to officials. 125 Mass National Guard members are being activated to assist. @NBCNews pic.twitter.com/RLwxNPu8GM

— Emilie Ikeda (@EmilieIkedaNBC) September 16, 2022

The national guard members are being activated to supplement work already underway by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.

The illegal immigrants have been moved off Martha’s Vineyard to the Joint Base Cape Cod (JBCC)

The governor’s office released a statement today about the move and activation of the National Guard.

“Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced new shelter and humanitarian supports at Joint Base Cape Cod (JBCC) 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. 

Shortly after the arrival of these individuals, Martha’s Vineyard residents joined with local and state officials to create temporary shelter and provide necessities in a moment of urgent need. However, the island communities are not equipped to provide sustainable accommodation, and state officials developed a plan to deliver a comprehensive humanitarian response. On Friday, September 16, the Commonwealth will offer transportation to a new temporary shelter on JBCC. This move will be voluntary.

JBCC is a facility already designated by MEMA as an emergency shelter in Barnstable County, and its existing infrastructure provides a safe temporary accommodation appropriate for the specific needs of families and individuals. Additionally, the facility can provide dedicated space for access to legal services and other essential services such as basic healthcare. JBCC has historically housed and cared for displaced individuals, including Louisiana residents fleeing the impact of Hurricane Katrina, as well as an alternative care medical site for Massachusetts residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The illegal immigrants were removed from the island rather quickly, as the extremely wealthy residents of the island had earlier declared that the illegal immigrants couldn’t stay there as they were in a “housing crisis”.

The move by Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis to bring illegal immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard has garnered much attention from the media. Even California’s Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom got in on the commentary, calling for the DOJ to bring charges of kidnapping for moving the illegal immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard.