By Salvador Hernandez | Los Angeles Occasions
Eight Venezuelan migrants have been flown final week from Texas to Sacramento with little money — some with out sneakers — and the boys do not know why they have been despatched or who paid for the flights, an advocacy group stated.
The lads, who crossed the border in Laredo, Texas, had intentions to journey to New York, Florida or Utah and stated they have been confused as to why they have been despatched to California, the place none of them had contacts or prospects.
Three migrants landed Thursday morning in Sacramento, then walked about 20 miles to an handle listed on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement documentation the place they have been informed they'd discover a shelter. As an alternative, the boys arrived at a closed workplace constructing in downtown Sacramento, stated Autumn Gonzalez, a volunteer with NorCal Resist, which gives companies to migrants and advocates for immigrant rights.
“It’s by no means occurred to us earlier than, that folks simply randomly confirmed up, needing housing or help,” Gonzalez stated.
A safety guard on the closed constructing pointed the migrants to a meals financial institution, the place they have been capable of get meals and garments. NorCal Resist was then contacted to see whether or not it may assist the boys.
“They stated, ‘They haven't any meals, no cash, they don’t know anybody right here. Are you able to assist them?’ ” Gonzalez stated the meals financial institution informed her.
She added of the boys, “They didn’t ask to return to Sacramento.”
On Friday, NorCal Resist was contacted a couple of second group of 5 males who landed Thursday evening and slept in a park. The lads walked to the identical handle, solely to search out the identical closed doorways.
Gonzalez believes the boys got the handle as a result of the constructing homes workplaces for Catholic Charities, a gaggle that aids immigrants however doesn't present companies at that location.
Gonzalez stated the eight males, who have been of their 20s to 40s, have been looking for asylum within the U.S.
NorCal Resist offered the boys with lodge rooms and helped them seek the advice of with an immigration legal professional.
“We’re more than pleased to get them assist and get them located,” she stated.
The eight migrants had deliberate to go to different elements of the nation the place they have been informed about Venezuelan communities however are contemplating staying within the space. Some have donated their time to NorCal Resist, serving to the group transfer furnishings and different donations to a Syrian refugee household.
Their paperwork states that they must report back to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement workplaces in Sacramento, however all the males have been confused as to why.
“I’ve by no means seen one thing like this earlier than,” Gonzalez stated.
NorCal Resist typically coordinates with immigration officers and different teams in Texas if migrants are being despatched to the world and want help. The teams often coordinate sources, shelter and contacts. None of that occurred this time.
“I believed it have to be some mistake,” she stated.
The incident comes as Republican governors in Florida and Texas have been busing and flying immigrants to different U.S. areas. Migrants have been unknowingly transported to New York, Vice President Kamala Harris’ dwelling in Washington, D.C., and Martha’s Winery in Massachusetts, in what critics have known as a political stunt to focus on immigration on the expense of a susceptible group of individuals.
Talking about these incidents, Gov. Ron DeSantis stated Florida is “not a sanctuary state” and would “assist facilitate that transport so that you can go to greener pastures.” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has stated that by transporting migrants, “Texas is bringing the border to their yard to alleviate our overwhelmed communities.”
Abbott’s workplace denied involvement within the eight migrants who ended up in Sacramento. A spokesperson stated the governor’s workplace is busing migrants to New York, Washington and Chicago.
DeSantis’ workplace didn't instantly return requests for remark about whether or not its workplace was concerned in flying the migrants to Sacramento.
This story initially appeared in Los Angeles Occasions.