DeSantis defends Martha's Vineyard decision, blasts Biden during visit in Bradenton

Gov. Ron DeSantis doubled down on his decision to send 48 Venezuelan migrants to Martha's Vineyard during a press conference Tuesday afternoon at a Bradenton restaurant. 

Illegal immigration is often viewed as a border issue, but many who cross into states like Texas, California, Arizona, or New Mexico often do so as a part of a long journey to final destinations elsewhere.

For 48 Venezuelan migrants, that journey took an unexpected and highly public turn from the Texas border to Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts in a move that some regard as a political ploy by the Florida governor.

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Previously:Migrants flown to Martha's Vineyard arrived from Florida, sent by Gov. Ron DeSantis

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Speaking to reporters gathered at the Anna Maria Oyster Bar in Bradenton, DeSantis addressed criticism of his decision to send migrants to Martha's Vineyard on Tuesday at the end of a press conference where he unveiled proposed tax breaks aimed at families.

The governor said he believes between 30 to 40% of illegal immigrants who cross the border elsewhere intend to make their way to Florida, and often do so unimpeded if they are able to avoid detainment in border states like Texas.

DeSantis has been criticized for using the migrants for political gain, and he did not shy away on Tuesday when he said he sent the migrants to the wealthy community to draw attention to the growing border crisis in the midst of upcoming high-profile political campaigns.

He faults President Joe Biden for reversing border policies implemented under the Trump administration to turn asylum seekers away at the border without giving them a chance to present their cases.

"It's already made more of an impact than anyone thought it could possibly make," DeSantis said. "I think it's opening people's eyes to the solution, which is let's have a secure border ... let's take the cartels seriously."

"It will be a big issue in the elections, I can tell you that, but hopefully when we get through with that then we can have some rationality," DeSantis said. "This was an intentional policy (by Biden) to reverse policies that were effective... The biggest stunt was Biden coming in as president and reversing Trump's policies."

Maria Sasso, 73, who is originally from Jamaica, became a U.S. citizen in 1960 after she and her parents legally emigrated to the U.S. in the mid 1950s. On Tuesday morning, the Manatee County resident found herself at Anna Maria Oyster Bar to show her support for DeSantis' stance on immigration policy.

"I wish he would send 10 more airplanes over there," Sasso said. 

"A lot of us came here through the system to be able to become legal, and many people have not been able to get those credentials," Sasso said. "Meanwhile, our president is allowing all of these people to just enter and giving them all the benefits that these people have worked so hard and paid so dearly for."