The shock arrival of dozens of migrants on Martha’s Winery prompted pledges of support from the state’s elected leaders, together with harsh rebukes from Democrats within the Legislature for the politicking that despatched them right here.

Martha’s Winery residents, service suppliers and native and state officers scrambled to reply Wednesday afternoon after round 50 males, girls and youngsters, largely from Venezuela, landed on the island on a flight organized by Florida’s state authorities that originated in San Antonio, Texas.

U.S. Rep. Invoice Keating, a Democrat who represents Martha’s Winery, mentioned individuals at the moment are attempting “to take care of a state of affairs that was manufactured by and fueled by the ambition of the governor of Florida, who envisions himself as president and is leveraging this for his personal political benefit.”

Keating mentioned “individuals must be outraged” by the transfer and that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis presents “an enormously totally different comparability to the governor of our state, one other Republican.” He mentioned Gov. Charlie Baker “acted in a short time and continues to assist.”

On the State Home, Senate President Karen Spilka known as it “disgusting and abhorrent that an out-of-state governor has determined to interact in what’s tantamount to a type of human trafficking for pure political video games.”

Spilka mentioned the Senate will “work with all events to search out long-term options” and proceed to assist the immigrants.

“This craven and divisive determination from out-of-state Republicans to make use of immigrant kids and households as political pawns, just isn’t merely merciless, however is at odds with American values,” Home Speaker Ron Mariano mentioned in an announcement Thursday. “Within the absence of federal immigration coverage that has allowed for this inhumane stunt from officers in different states, Massachusetts will proceed to be a welcoming place for immigrants.”

Baker mentioned the state “has many assets for helping people that arrive in Massachusetts with various immigration statuses and wishes and is working with all companions concerned to ensure these assets can be found to the migrants that arrived final evening.”

In an announcement that didn’t tackle how or why the group arrived in Massachusetts, Baker thanked everybody who got here collectively to assist on Martha’s Winery and mentioned his administration is exploring organising short-term shelter and companies at Joint Base Cape Cod.

Legal professional Normal Maura Healey, too, is “in contact with state and native companions to supply assist and assets as wanted,” in response to a spokesperson for her workplace.

Healey is the Democratic nominee for governor, and her marketing campaign referred an inquiry concerning the state of affairs on Martha’s Winery to the AG’s workplace. Her opponent within the race for the state’s high job, Republican Geoff Diehl, laid blame with the federal authorities, which he mentioned has failed to handle “a disaster at America’s southern border.”

“In consequence, states throughout our nation are coping with an inflow of unlawful immigrants that they don’t seem to be outfitted to deal with and shouldn’t be pressured to accommodate,” Diehl mentioned in an announcement. “When that occurs, governors naturally search options to guard the individuals of their state.”

The governor’s race is on the poll this November together with a query searching for to repeal a state regulation handed earlier this 12 months that will make immigrants with out authorized standing eligible to use for driver’s licenses. Diehl and Baker have each voiced assist for the repeal effort, and reactions to the migrants’ arrival might flip up warmth round that debate.

A spending invoice Baker signed in April included $10 million for refugee and immigrant resettlement efforts, cash lawmakers allotted partially as a response to the conflict in Ukraine. It’s potential they may add extra funding or dedicate different assets in one other spending bundle that’s pending earlier than the Home Methods and Means Committee.

State Sen. Julian Cyr, a Truro Democrat, likened the state of affairs to the “Reverse Freedom Rides” of the Sixties, when segregationists tricked Black households into relocating to Hyannis as a technique to retaliate in opposition to white liberal Northerners.

“That plot failed,” Cyr mentioned. “The individuals of Hyannis welcomed these 96 Black households, helped them decide on Cape Cod, make a life, and these persons are a part of our group and have continued to be.

“That is simply the cruelest political ploy you can think about, proper? The place it seems that these politicians have engaged in human trafficking to use households who’re merely searching for a greater life,” Cyr added. “If Ron DeSantis and his cronies cared about states like Massachusetts serving to with the migrant disaster, this is not the way in which to do it, proper? You’re employed in coordination.“

State representatives from Sunderland to the North Shore provided their communities’ assist to Martha’s Winery over social media.

Home Minority Chief Brad Jones, a North Studying Republican, mentioned he doesn’t agree with DeSantis’ determination however can “perceive the frustration that states are feeling on the full and utter failure of Congress to cross complete immigration reforms.”

“The shortage of motion on the federal stage has resulted in an unacceptable patchwork of insurance policies that modify considerably from state to state, which isn’t sustainable within the long-term,” Jones mentioned. “That being mentioned, it is vital to do not forget that we’re a nation of immigrants, and as such I firmly consider that Massachusetts wants to indicate compassion for these people and supply humanitarian support and assist.”