DeSantis sent 50 migrants to Martha's Vineyard by plane as an anti-liberal stunt. The locals pulled together to help them.

Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida sent planeloads of migrants to Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts.

It was apparently intended to shift some of the burden of migration to a rich, liberal area.

Locals at the exclusive destination, where Barack Obama owns property, rallied to help out.

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Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida took credit for sending planeloads of migrants to Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, as part of an apparent bid to force authorities in another state to take responsibility for them.

State Sen. Julian Cyr of Massachusetts told The New York Times that around 50 migrants arrived in two planes about 3 p.m. local time, with no warning.

Fox News Digital, which first reported the story, published a video of migrants disembarking from planes on the island and getting into a van.

"Yes, Florida can confirm the two planes with illegal immigrants that arrived in Martha's Vineyard today were part of the state's relocation program to transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations," Taryn Fenske, the communications director for DeSantis, told the outlet.

State Rep. Dylan Fernandes on Twitter said the community rallied to help the migrants, putting them up in a local church.

"Our island jumped into action putting together 50 beds, giving everyone a good meal, providing a play area for the children, making sure people have the healthcare and support they need. We are a community that comes together to support immigrants," he wrote on Twitter.

He also shared photos of the makeshift accommodation.

Cyr, speaking with the Martha's Vineyard Times, criticized the move as a cruel political stunt. On Twitter, he said the migrants had arrived on a charter flight from Texas and appeared to be mostly from Venezuela.

"This is deeply disgusting. This is a cruel ruse that manipulates families that are seeking a better life," he said, describing them as "fundamentally racist tactics."

In recent weeks, the Republican-led states of Texas and Arizona have sent thousands of migrants to Democratic-led areas, including New York, Chicago, and Washington, DC.

They say President Joe Biden's policies are behind a rise in unauthorized migration and that Democratic-led cities should bear the responsibility for them. Some of the areas migrants have been sent to voted to become "sanctuary cities," places where authorities deliberately do not cooperate with efforts to enforce migration laws.

DeSantis is burnishing his anti-migration credentials amid rumors he's positioning himself for a presidential bid in 2024.

Martha's Vineyard is an agricultural area and exclusive vacation destination where former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, as well as Hillary Clinton, frequently spend time. In the offseason, it has about 20,000 residents, and locals told The New York Times there were concerns about the town's long-term ability to host the migrants.

Christina Pushaw, a spokesperson for DeSantis, used the situation to troll liberals.

"Martha's Vineyard residents should be thrilled about this. They vote for sanctuary cities — they get a sanctuary city of their own," she tweeted. "And illegal aliens will increase the town's diversity, which is strength. Right?"