Dozens of immigrants, most of them from Venezuela, flock to Martha’s Vineyard.

(CNN) —- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis sent two planes carrying migrants to Martha’s Vineyard on Wednesday night, angering Democratic politicians and prompting a frantic response from locals with humanitarian aid and help from Massachusetts officials.

The move is the latest in a series of moves by Republican governors to protest what they say are insufficient federal efforts to secure the southern border. Martha’s Vineyard, located on the coast of Massachusetts and long known as a chic summer retreat for the wealthy, was an unusual and unexpected destination for immigrants.

“We’re not a sanctuary state, it’s better to go to a sanctuary jurisdiction, and yes, we’ll help facilitate that transit so you can go to a more promising place,” DeSantis said Thursday. Sends both planes to the island. “Every community in America needs to share the burden. It shouldn’t fall on a few red states.”

According to Julian Cyr, the Democratic senator from Massachusetts who represents Martha’s Vineyard, 50 immigrants arrived in Martha’s Vineyard on Wednesday on two flights. Both flights arrived shortly after 3 p.m. local time, Cyr said, and white vans took them to social services on site.

Edgartown City Manager James Haggerty told CNN Thursday that officials believe the migrants were all from Venezuela, and a local fire chief said seven families with four children between the ages of 3 and 8 were among the migrants that day.

“There was no advance notice that I was aware of that these immigrants were coming to Martha’s Vineyard or Massachusetts,” Cyr said.

City and state officials are in contact to define next steps, but Cyr emphasized that the goal is to support the immigrants who have arrived now.

In addition to Islanders’ response efforts, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency is expected to be on the ground to coordinate operations.

Terry McCormack, a spokesman for Republican Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, said in a statement obtained by CNN affiliate WBZ, “The Baker-Polito administration has been in contact with local officials regarding the influx of immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard. At this time, local officials are providing short-term shelter services, and the administration is responding to those efforts.” Will continue to support.”

Florida Democrats reacted

DeSantis’ claim prompted a strong reaction from Florida Democratic Party officials.

“Even for Ron DeSantis, this is a new low point,” Florida Democratic Party Chairman Manny Diaz said in a statement. “DeSantis won’t do anything to score political points, he won’t hurt anybody.”

Charlie Crist, the Democratic candidate for Florida governor, said in a statement: “This is another political stunt affecting our state. Tonight, the 4.5 million immigrants who call Florida home will wonder if they are next.”

The move follows in the footsteps of Republican governors Greg Abbott of Texas and Doug Ducey of Arizona who began sending migrants to Washington this year. Abbott has since expanded the effort to include New York and Chicago.

Immigrants released from government custody often move to other U.S. cities while they complete their immigration procedures.

Local residents take action to support settlers on Martha’s Vineyard

“Our island has worked by putting together 50 beds, providing good food for everyone, a playground for children, providing the health care and support people need,” Massachusetts state representative Dylan Fernandez wrote in another tweet. “We are a community united to support immigrants.”

It is a community to support immigrant children and families. It’s America’s best. pic.twitter.com/qnQZYjNA9J

— Dylan Fernandez (@RepDylan) September 15, 2022

Martha’s Vineyard officials say they are working with a coalition on the island to provide “shelter, food and care” to people who arrived on the island Wednesday, according to a statement from the Dukes County Emergency Management Association.

The Edgartown Police Department asked that migrants who arrived Wednesday do not need extra items and to avoid leaving extra items behind to avoid traffic congestion.

A media representative for Martha’s Vineyard Community Service, which helps coordinate services for immigrants, praised the community’s response, saying some local restaurants are offering free meals.

The migrants slept at the San Andres church on Wednesday night, which often helps house those in need, the representative explained.

He said some of the migrants were cold Thursday morning and the service center helped bring more clothing.

Meanwhile, Haggerty said Thursday that migrants were told they would be offered jobs and housing on the island before they arrived.

“They were given social service packets before they got off the plane,” he said, adding that he did not know which third party provided the information packets to the migrants.

Abbott confirms that he sent busloads of migrants to the Naval Observatory in Washington

Abbott confirmed in a tweet that the migrants who arrived at the Naval Observatory in Washington on two buses Thursday morning were from Texas.

“Vice President Harris says our border is ‘secure’ and denies crisis,” Abbott tweeted from his personal verified account. “We’re sending immigrants into your backyard to tell the Biden administration to do its job and secure the border.”

Abbott said two migrant buses from Texas, including more than 100 migrants from Colombia, Cuba, Guyana, Nicaragua, Panama and Venezuela, crashed early Thursday morning in front of Vice President Kamala Harris’ home at the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington. liberation From the Governor’s office.

“The Biden-Harris administration continues to ignore and deny the historic crisis on our southern border that has put Texas communities at risk for nearly two years,” Abbott said.

“Our so-called border czar, Vice President Kamala Harris, has yet to visit the border to see first-hand the impact of the open border policies she’s helped implement to the point where she claims the border is ‘secure.’ Until Texas President Biden and border czar Harris step up and do their part to secure the border, Washington-like Continue sending immigrants to sanctuary cities.”

According to the report, since the governor’s “bus transportation strategy” began in the spring, more than 10,000 immigrants have been transported from Texas to Washington, New York and Chicago.

Publisher’s Note: This article has been updated with additional information.