California Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state’s Attorney General Rob Bonta announced on Saturday an investigation into the arrival of migrants at a church in Sacramento to determine if kidnapping or other crimes were committed.
In a statement, Newsom said more than a dozen migrants were taken from Texas to New Mexico before being flown to Sacramento and left at the door of a local church “without any prior notice.” warning.”
“We are working closely with the Mayor’s office, with local and non-profit partners to ensure that people arriving are treated with respect and dignity, and reach their intended destination while they pursue their cases on immigration,” Newsom said.
The governor said that migrant arrivals will be investigated to determine who is responsible for their transportation and to determine any criminal wrongdoing.
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California Governor Gavin Newsom said more than a dozen migrants were brought to Sacramento and left at the door of a local church without notice. (AP Photo/Datong Pedroncelli)
“My Administration is also working with the California Department of Justice to investigate the circumstances surrounding who paid for the group’s trip and whether the individuals who orchestrated this trip misled anyone with false promises or violated any criminal laws, including kidnapping,” he said.
Bonta issued a separate statement in which he said the migrants had documents that allegedly showed they were from Florida.
“We are investigating the circumstances under which these individuals were brought to California,” he said. “We are also investigating potential criminal or civil action against those transporting or arranging for the transportation of these vulnerable immigrants. While this is still being investigated, we can confirm that these individuals are in possession of the documentation that says which comes from the State government. in Florida.”
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California Attorney General Rob Bonta said the migrants had documentation it said showed they were from Florida. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
“As we continue to gather evidence, I want to say this very clearly: State-sanctioned kidnapping is not a public policy choice, it is immoral and abhorrent,” Bonta said. “We are a country built by immigrants and we must condemn the cruelty and hateful rhetoric of those, whether they are leaders of the state or private parties, who refuse to recognize the people and who turn their backs on giving dignity and caring for others.”
It is unclear at this time who is responsible for moving migrants to California, but several states are moving migrants to sanctuary cities such as New York City, Chicago and Washington, DC, amid a surge of migrants crossing the US-Mexico border.
Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott says he won’t stop sending busloads of migrants to these cities until the federal government solves the border problem. Migrant relocations from Texas began last summer.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta said he was investigating the migrant arrivals. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
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The immigration crisis on the southern border has also spilled over into states that do not border Mexico. Florida Republican Gov. and presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis flew migrants from the Sunshine State to Martha’s Vineyard last fall and Colorado Democrat Gov. Jared Polis sent migrants to sanctuary cities earlier this year.
“California and the community of Sacramento will welcome these individuals with open arms and provide them with the respect, compassion, and care they need after such a traumatic experience,” Bonta said in his statement.
