Migrants flown into Martha’s Vineyard declared crime victims

BEXAR COUNTY, Texas — Migrants transported last month from San Antonio, Texas, to Martha’s Vineyard under a program directed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis with support from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott were declared crime victims by the sheriff of Bexar County in Texas. The move will advance their special visa eligibility.

The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation into the Sept. 19 migrant case, looking into possibly charging the suspects involved with unlawful restraint, since the transportation plans were misrepresented to the travelers.

I have officially opened a criminal investigation against the individual(s) who lured and transported 48 migrants from the Migrant Resource Center in San Antonio, TX to Martha’s Vineyard. If you or someone you know has been impacted, please email bcsotips@bexar.org

— SheriffSalazar (@sheriffsalazar) September 20, 2022

Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said the certification forms he filed on Thursday can serve to hold visas for crime victims or witnesses to certain crimes, according to immigration lawyers.

“Based upon the claims of migrants being transported from Bexar County under false pretenses, we are investigating this case as possible Unlawful Restraint,” Bexar County Sheriff Salazar said in a statement. “We have submitted documentation through the federal system to ensure the migrants’ availability as witnesses during the investigation.”

An NBC article reports that Boston-based attorney Rachel Self is representing five of the transported migrants. Self met with Salazar in San Antonio to organize the required certifications for all 49 migrants to start the U-1 nonimmigrants visas, “U visas,” application. According to NBC, these certifications are set aside “for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and could help law enforcement or government officials investigate or prosecute criminal activity.”

Quoting Salazar, he said, “We have identified suspects, however at this point in the investigation, we are not at liberty to release those names publicly or confirm any identities. Only those who were physically in our jurisdiction at the time of the offense are considered suspects.”

Citing a statement from Self in an email via NBC, these past couple of weeks, she’s been working hand-in-hand with Salazar and BCSO to aid in their investigation, from leading interviews and archiving reports, images and footage.

From NBC, Self said: “No matter what your political beliefs are, these people are all crime victims. 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.”

Salazar stated that updated information will be released as it becomes available.

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2022-10-14 15:12:00

www.baynews9.com

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