Veteran news anchor Katie Couric and Fox News token liberal commentator Jessica Tarlov shockingly tipped their hats to Republican governors for their unusual approach to tackling immigration.
Back in 2022, Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Arizona’s then-Governor Doug Ducey initiated a controversial move by sending thousands of migrants via buses to major cities like Washington D.C., New York, and Chicago.
Following suit, Florida joined the effort when its lawmakers approved a $12 million budget dedicated to relocating undocumented individuals.
Taryn Fenske, who was Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ communications director at the time, explained the reasoning behind this strategy.
Jessica Tarlov and Katie Couric on GOP governors sending illegal immigrants to Northern states:
Tarlov: “I thought that it was a stunt when they started busing migrants … to Martha’s Vineyard. It was the smartest thing they ever did.”
Couric: “Well, it’s interesting ’cause I… pic.twitter.com/zb8ZZ9Vr5i
— Jason Cohen 🇺🇸 (@JasonJournoDC) December 12, 2024
“States like Massachusetts, New York, and California will better facilitate the care of these individuals who they have invited into our country by incentivizing illegal immigration through their designation as ‘sanctuary states’ and support for the Biden Administration’s open border policies,” Fenske stated in September of 2022.
Governor DeSantis further detailed the rationale behind these relocations during a press gathering, describing the migrants as individuals with “a lack of opportunities” who were “hungry” and “homeless.”
According to his account, Florida extended an offer to transport these individuals to so-called “sanctuary jurisdictions.”
One particularly divisive episode of this campaign saw Venezuelan migrants sent to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts—a move that sparked outrage and legal repercussions.
A group of these migrants took legal action against DeSantis and a key transportation official, accusing them of executing a “fraudulent and discriminatory scheme” to move them.
The lawsuit, filed in Boston’s federal court, revealed claims stating that the migrants were falsely informed they were being taken to major locations like Boston or Washington, alongside being lured with incentives like $10 McDonald’s gift cards.
“It is opportunistic that activists would use illegal immigrants for political theater,” Fenske remarked in response to the lawsuits.
Jessica Tarlov praised the decision’s impact on Katie Couric’s podcast, “Next Question,” branding the controversial Martha’s Vineyard relocation an intelligent move.
“On the immigration front, there was a tendency amongst Democrats, and especially Democrats who were discussing the issue, so people who do interviews or are part of the media, to minimize it over the first two and a half years when there were a lot of people coming in here,” Tarlov remarked.
“And I thought that it was a stunt when they started busing migrants … to Martha’s Vineyard. It was the smartest thing they ever did.”
Couric shared a story that echoed this sentiment, recounting her Florida-based friend’s perspective, “I said, ‘What did you think of Ron DeSantis and Greg Abbott taking some of these immigrants and moving them to northern states?’ And she said, ‘I thought it was great because nobody really was paying attention before that.’”
Couric added that mainstream media hadn’t adequately highlighted the strain migration was placing on border communities.
“This huge influx of immigrants was having [an impact], and I think the mainstream media kind of ignored that story to its peril,” she observed.
Meanwhile, Eric Adams, the Democratic Mayor of New York City, touched on immigration issues after a meeting with soon-to-be President Trump’s proposed “border czar,” Tom Homan, in Manhattan.
Adams expressed optimism about the shared objectives between himself and Homan.
“His goal is the same goal I have. We cannot allow dangerous individuals to commit repeated violent acts of violence in our cities across America,” he stated.
Adams also made it clear that his administration would continue to shield hard-working immigrants giving back to the community while taking strict action against undocumented residents with criminal histories.
His meeting with Homan occurred amidst Adam’s increasing concerns over the elevated numbers of incoming migrants throughout 2022 and 2023.
The mayor flagged this migrant influx while seeking federal support to manage the surge. “This can’t be a safe haven for violent individuals,” he noted.
Homan, speaking with Dr. Phil McGraw on the same day, clarified the upcoming administration’s immigration policies.
Border Czar @RealTomHoman first interview since meeting with Mayor @NYCMayor pic.twitter.com/Cm8TuXtLeQ
— Dr. Phil (@DrPhil) December 12, 2024
He addressed concerns over potential aggressive tactics, assuring that enforcement operations would not involve sweeping neighborhood crackdowns or military force.
“This isn’t going to be neighborhood sweeps and military vehicles going through the city,” Homan explained.
He described President Trump’s stance as focused on selective measures, saying, “This is going to be a targeted enforcement operation.”
Highlighting their shared commitment, Homan said, “We agree on the most important things. The criminals need to be taken off the street, to protect our communities, and children need to be founded safe from sex trafficking and forced labor.”
Watch the full episode of Couric’s podcast here: