Austin, October 15 (RHC)-- In the U.S. city of Austin, The Texas Tribune reports a group of asylum seekers who were flown from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard, an island off Massachusetts, by Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis last month may be able to apply for a special visa to stay in the United States.

This comes after Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar certified the 49 asylum seekers had been victims of a crime when they were coerced into boarding the flights to Martha’s Vineyard.  This could allow them to apply for a visa for victims or witnesses of a crime. 

The asylum seekers were convinced to board the planes by a woman identified as Perla Huerta, a former counterintelligence agent, who falsely promised them jobs and housing if they went to Massachusetts.