A Texas sheriff has certified that 48 migrants who were involuntarily flown to Martha’s Vineyard were victims of a crime, a procedure that would immediately qualify them for a US visa or green card.
The certification by the Bexar county sheriff, Javier Salazar, would open the path for a U-visa, which usually leads to a green card, for the victims.
The migrants were flown to Martha’s Vineyard in September by Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, who is under investigation for using $615,000 of taxpayer money to do so.
The “certification” of a crime is required for the processing of the U-visa, and involves confirmation that a “qualifying” crime – which includes everything from sexual assault to female genital mutilation to various forms of kidnapping – has taken place, that the victim has cooperated in the investigation and that they will probably assist in the identification of the criminal activity.
The sheriff filed the certification under “unlawful criminal restraint”, according to a statement from his office.
“Based upon the claims of migrants being transported from Bexar county under false pretenses, we are investigating this case as possible Unlawful Restraint,” Salazar said. “We have submitted documentation through the federal system to ensure the migrants’ availability as witnesses during the investigation.”
Rachel Self, an attorney from Massachusetts who has been working with the migrants and is coordinating with Salazar on the U-visa process, said the certification will also help the migrants “heal”.
“These certifications will ensure that the migrants can continue to help our law enforcement officials, and that they will be able to process and heal from the incredibly traumatic experiences they have suffered as a result of the cruel, heartless acts committed against them,” Self told GBH News on Thursday.
