We’re going to have a couple of posts inspired by PolitiFact today. In this one, PolitiFact is saying it is false that the military “deported” immigrants from Martha’s Vineyard. We didn’t think they were “deported” — more like kicked out after less than two days. But PolitiFact would like to make it especially clear that the military had nothing to do with it: the migrants were taken “voluntarily” to Joint Base Cape Cod, which is one of Massachusetts’ designated emergency shelters. It’s also a military base, but, you know.
Migrants flown to Martha's Vineyard by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis were voluntarily taken to Joint Base Cape Cod, one of Massachusetts’ designated emergency shelters. The military wasn't involved in the move. https://t.co/v8gKRIf3lC
— PolitiFact (@PolitiFact) September 26, 2022
Check out PolitiFact’s sources:
But the wealthy island is in the midst of an affordable housing crisis and not built to handle the sudden arrival of dozens of immigrants, according to Lisa Belcastro, the island’s homeless shelter coordinator. The Washington Post reported that the housing situation is so bad, even doctors can’t afford to live there anymore.
There is no year-round homeless shelter on the island, according to a Dukes County website, just a partnership with a local nonprofit.
Baker’s office announced the immigrants’ voluntary and temporary move to Joint Base Cape Cod, also in Massachusetts. “The island communities are not equipped to provide sustainable accommodation, and state officials developed a plan to deliver a comprehensive humanitarian response,” the state said in a Sept. 16 news release.
What about the National Guard? We’d heard that 125 National Guard members were activated to help with the situation. PolitiFact says that Facebook flagged as false a post that said “300 National Guard members helped move the migrants off the island.” So, was the National Guard involved or not, and if so, how many? Yahoo News said, “up to 125.”
You guys are a joke.https://t.co/bqE4hIGY4m
— Votey McVoteface (@Crapplefratz) September 26, 2022
Narrator: In fact the military took them to a military base
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) September 26, 2022
Doesn’t this get tiresome for you?
— Tim Troy (@Troy_Tim) September 26, 2022
Did y’all just quit trying or what?
— Brandon Peign (@PurplePeign) September 26, 2022
"voluntarily taken"
LOL
— J.G. Petruna (@jgpetruna) September 26, 2022
What about the migrants who wanted to stay on Martha’s Vineyard? Were they given that option?
How does one legally get into a military base without the military’s consent?
— Justine (@BruinJustine) September 26, 2022
Is the National Guard part of "the military"?
— Mac the Cop (Retired) (@mcmurray4835) September 26, 2022
You can't go into a military base without permission from the military. Try harder.
— H É C T O R 🇺🇸🇵🇷 (@hjrosas) September 26, 2022
They’re on a military base. How is the military not involved??
— Tuigi (@Tuigi2112) September 26, 2022
Totally lying! The MILITARY would have to escort them onto base, which means the MILITARY took over.
— RD 🇺🇸 (@radiodeltaus) September 26, 2022
The Massachusetts National Guard assisted in the effort. They immigrants are at the military base voluntarily as if they really have a choice to leave. 🤦🏼♀️
— Reform the Media (@newrev2020) September 26, 2022
This tweet is not accurate.
The national guard WAS involved with the move.
The false claim is that they were deported; they were not deported, they were moved to the mainland.
— Dirty Ducko (he/him) (@DirtyDucko) September 26, 2022
Arguing the word "deported" is the dumbest of points to use to obfuscate the fact that rich, white liberals couldn't handle illegal immigrants at their doorstep for even 48 hours.
— Taco flavored American 🌮🇺🇲 (@NuLLnVoiD4prez) September 26, 2022
The whole thing hinges on the word “deported” — and if this fact-check went the other direction, they wouldn’t have called it false; they’d have said, “Needs more context.”
— Satanas… (@DSmykal) September 26, 2022
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