Editorial: Migrant flights reveal DeSantis’ lack of compassion

We already knew Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ social skills leave something to be desired.

Now we can confirm that he lacks compassion, as well.

How else to categorize his administration’s decision to charter two flights that dropped 36 Latin American asylum-seekers in Sacramento and left them to fend for themselves? It’s shameful.

DeSantis has expressed outrage over the influx of migrants from South America and Central America into Florida. It creates a major challenge for every state along the southern U.S. border, including California. But if this is a sample of how DeSantis would tackle the complex immigration issue on a national level, it would be better for all if he continues toiling in Tallahassee.

The Florida governor has remained personally quiet about the two charter flights, but DeSantis administration officials on Tuesday admitted responsibility, insisting that the migrants’ trip to Sacramento was “voluntary” and “through written and verbal consent.” California authorities said that the migrants were promised help finding jobs but were abandoned on arrival. California Attorney General Rob Bonta told the Bay Area News Group that he and Gov. Gavin Newsom interviewed some of the migrants with the help of an interpreter, and their responses suggested a basis for possible criminal charges against DeSantis.

It’s anyone’s guess as to the extent to which the migrants may have been misled, but there should be no mistake about the ethics of the tactic.

This isn’t the first time DeSantis has pulled this kind of political stunt.

Last September, about  49 migrants arrived by planes in Martha’s Vineyard, Mass. on flights paid for by DeSantis that originated in San Antonio, Texas.

DeSantis justifies the acts by claiming that Massachusetts, California and other states “incentivize illegal immigration.”  He boasted on the campaign trail about sending dozens of migrants “to beautiful Martha’s Vineyard.”

The Florida governor will have an opportunity to fully explain his actions when he comes to Sacramento on June 19 for a $3,300-a-ticket “roundtable” breakfast” hosted by Pam and Steve Eggert of Sacramento. That’s assuming DeSantis actually cares about what became of the 36 migrants his administration flew to Sacramento.

No one deserves that kind of treatment. But it’s especially cold-hearted to take 36 people who traveled nearly 3,000 miles from Colombia and Venezuela, through jungles and challenges few Americans can imagine and, upon finally arriving at the U.S. border, stick them on a plane and abandon them on the streets of Sacramento.

The best thing California can do is keep them fed and sheltered while the veracity of their legal claim to asylum is determined. It’s the compassionate thing to do.