Investigative journalist Laura Loomer has called out Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and the U.S. Coast Guard for not apprehending a Haitian migrant sailboat allegedly carrying over 100 passengers that appeared on the shores of Key West, Florida.
“How did [the U.S. Coast Guard] not detect this massive migrant boat in Key West this morning? Ron DeSantis claims he’s increased the budget for the coast guard and loves tooting his own horn about how he’s cracking down on illegal immigrants, but video doesnt lie, Governor. This is a massive boat. And now 120 Haitian illegal aliens are running around a residential area next to a high school with kids. You need to start being an honest man,” said Loomer.
How did @USCG not detect this massive migrant boat in Key West this morning? @RonDeSantis claims he’s increased the budget for the coast guard and loves tooting his own horn about how he’s cracking down on illegal immigrants, but video doesnt lie, Governor.
This is a massive… https://t.co/ZM73MsWK57 pic.twitter.com/JyGrZWOeug
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) June 26, 2024
The investigative journalist was referring to DeSantis’ policy moves in the past in which he touted his sternness concerning protecting Florida’s coastline from undocumented migrants from various nations entering the Sunshine State by sea.
“For quite some time, the State of Florida has been dedicating significant resources to combat illegal vessels coming to Florida from countries such as Haiti,” said Gov. DeSantis in March. “Given the circumstances in Haiti, I have directed the Division of Emergency Management, the Florida State Guard, and state law enforcement agencies to deploy over 250 additional officers and soldiers and over a dozen air and sea craft to the southern coast of Florida to protect our state. No state has done more to supplement the (under-resourced) U.S. Coast Guard’s interdiction efforts; we cannot have illegal aliens coming to Florida.”
A few months ago, DeSantis hired 39 additional law enforcement officers, 23 additional Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers with eight additional seacrafts, 48 new Florida National Guardsmen and four new helicopters, and 30 additional Florida Highway Patrolmen alongside a new aircraft and surveillance drones.
He also deployed 133 Florida State Guardsmen to the Keys. While DeSantis has attempted to stop boats such as these, it appears he cannot stop all of them.
This is a developing story.
