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I was once like the migrants of Martha’s Vineyard | Letters
Here’s what readers are saying in Thursday’s letters to the editor.
 
The City of San Antonio, Texas, Migrant Resource Center is the origin place of two planeloads of mostly Venezuelan migrants who were sent to Martha's Vineyard by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The City of San Antonio, Texas, Migrant Resource Center is the origin place of two planeloads of mostly Venezuelan migrants who were sent to Martha's Vineyard by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. [ JORDAN VONDERHAAR | Getty Images North America ]
Published Sept. 22, 2022

I was a refugee once

Ordeal at Martha’s Vineyard began in this tiny Texas town | Sept. 20

I once was a refugee. My family was “ethnically cleansed.” We became the pawns of certain governments who shuffled us to places that were Russian-occupied. We had no status paperwork. We fled from that situation toward the West. At first they wanted to send us back. Then, by intervention of the Red Cross, we were given asylum and then permanent status and, eventually, citizenship. I am white. My heart breaks when I see the asylum-seeking human beings fleeing from oppression, poverty, cruelty, war and political strife. I was that person once. I do not wish to see this inhumane treatment by Gov. Ron DeSantis and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. This country needs a solid immigration policy that recognizes dire human needs and the value that immigrants bring to their adopted country. Shame on these politicians. Where is their Christian ethos?

Ingrid Robertshaw, Wimauma

Focus on Florida

Ordeal at Martha’s Vineyard began in this tiny Texas town | Sept. 20

We have so many problems in Florida, from property insurance premiums that are too high to teachers’ salaries that aren’t high enough. I think our governor should concentrate on our problems and not what’s going on with immigration in Texas.

Frank Rametta, New Port Richey

I could use a good lawyer

Ordeal at Martha’s Vineyard began in this tiny Texas town | Sept. 20

I wish no ill will toward these migrants, and I wish them the very best in their future. However, I find it disturbing that they are able to file a class action lawsuit and I, a taxpaying citizen of this country, do not have the right to negotiate a fair and equitable increase of my apartment rent in Hillsborough County. Rather, I have to accept a monthly increase of more than $260 with virtually no recourse. Any lawyer want to take up my battle? I’ll just wait here for that.

Kathleen Doyle, Tampa

Blame the darkness

A dead student, a dark road and a cry for safety | Sept. 21

Look no further than daylight saving time to explain the crash that killed the teenager crossing Belleair Road. Eastern standard time on the day of the crash would have made 6:44 a.m. brighter, visibility greater. Small and large groups of high school students wait in the dark for their bus in August and September. It is a wonder that there are not more of these preventable crashes and the cost of maintaining daylight saving time is too high.

Joseph Gillette, St. Petersburg