The Privileged and Immigration: A Look at MSNBC’s ‘Martha’s Vineyard v. DeSantis
In a recent MSNBC special titled “Martha’s Vineyard v. DeSantis,” the attempt to produce a documentary critical of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ actions with regard to sending undocumented immigrants to the affluent liberal enclave turned out to be a disappointment. The film portrays the residents of Martha’s Vineyard as clueless and entitled, highlighting the disconnect between them and the immigration issues affecting the rest of the country.
The documentary begins by showing the reaction of Martha’s Vineyard residents to the sudden arrival of 49 Venezuelan immigrants on their island. The residents expressed confusion and surprise, with one even wondering how the newcomers got there.
The residents of Martha’s Vineyard, who had overwhelmingly supported President Biden in the 2020 election, quickly called the police to deal with the situation. Within 36 hours, the National Guard removed the immigrants from the island, highlighting the stark contrast between their experience and that of other towns and cities in the United States grappling with a significant influx of undocumented immigrants.
The documentary also features Democratic Sheriff Javier Salazar from San Antonio, Texas, who offered his perspective on the situation, even though the immigrants first passed through his town. He questioned why Governor DeSantis was involved in what was happening in his county, seemingly oblivious to the fact that illegal immigration is a national issue affecting the entire country.
The film includes Rachel Self, a Martha’s Vineyard resident and immigration lawyer, who was portrayed as a “Karen” character, repeatedly expressing concern about crimes, victims, and survivors. She even reported the arrival of the immigrants as a kidnapping, showcasing the residents’ alarm and lack of awareness of the broader immigration challenges in the country.
The documentary also highlighted the residents’ efforts to downplay their response by emphasizing their supposed diversity and community support. However, the reality is that Martha’s Vineyard has a predominantly affluent population with a median household income far above the national average.
The Biden Admin dumped nearly 4 million illegals on the U.S. in the past 3 years alone. Martha’s Vineyard—which voted 80% for Biden—got 49 of ‘em and immediately called the police. Within 36 hours, the National Guard had removed them. – @AnnCoulter https://t.co/VTnM8Z2LV7
— VDARE (@vdare) November 1, 2023
