The Office of Inspector General is looking into whether the state of Florida used funds to fly migrants from Venezuela to Martha's Vineyard without proper authorization.
Taryn Fenske, the communications director for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, said at the time that the governor sent two planes to Massachusetts to carry 48 migrants who were in the country illegally. In the last few months, Republican governors of Texas and Arizona have sent migrants to other states. Democrats were enraged by the actions.
Massachusetts Democratic lawmakers asked the investigative arm of the Treasury to look into the use of American Rescue Plan funds for the transportation of migrants. The Florida Republican's relocation program is funded by interest earned from the aid.
Richard Delmar, deputy inspector general of the Treasury, told the state Democratic members that his office had already inquired about the state's use of the money.
He said in a letter that the work would be done as quickly as possible.
The investigation was reported by the AP.
Delmar said the office will review whether funds distributed as part of the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds program can be used for immigration and if so, what conditions and limitations apply.
He praised Delmar in a statement.
For the sake of the migrants who were lured onto charter planes under false pretenses, I hope that this investigation sheds light.
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