DeSantis notches win in lawsuit over migrant flights, but company that arranged them not in the clear yet

DeSantis started flying illegal immigrants to progressive states in late 2022 to highlight the Biden administration’s inadequate response to the border crisis

DeSantis rescue effort brings 14 Americans home from Haiti

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis joins 'Fox & Friends' to discuss his efforts to get Americans home without support from the federal government and curb the influx of migrants from Haiti with help from the Florida National Guard.

A federal judge on Monday dropped Ron DeSantis from a lawsuit after the Republican Florida Governor coordinated flights of illegal immigrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard in 2022. 

In a 77-page ruling, U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs dropped DeSantis and various past and present staff members from the lawsuit over "insufficient facts" presented in the case. 

DeSantis

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks about a toll highway relief program during a press conference held at the Greater Miami Expressway Agency on April 01, 2024, in Miami, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Allison said the court could not "ascertain what actions were taken by whom and therefore cannot determine which, if any, of those individual Defendants transacted business or caused injury here, leaving it no choice but to find that, at least on this record, personal jurisdiction has not been established." 

DESANTIS BLASTS BIDEN FOR DENYING TRANS VISIBILITY DECLARATION ON EASTER: ‘WHO’S RUNNING THE PRESIDENCY?'

Still, the ruling leaves open the possibility for further litigation against Vertol, the Florida-based company that coordinated the flights for $1.5 million. 

Like his counterparts in Texas and Arizona, DeSantis started flying illegal immigrants to progressive states in late 2022 to highlight the Biden administration’s failing at the southern border. 

Martha's Vineyard is famously known as a playground of rich progressives, including former President Barack Obama, who bought a multimillion-dollar house there in 2019.

DeSantis proposed Delaware or Martha’s Vineyard as a destination for such migrants, but his office explained at the time that they could also be sent "to other 'progressive' states whose governors endorse blatant violations of federal immigration law."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 

Fox News Digital has reached out to DeSantis’ office and Vertol for further comment. 

Fox News Digital’s Jessica Chasmar contributed to this report. 

Bradford Betz is a Fox News Digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues, and much more. 

Authored by Bradford Betz via FoxNews April 1st 2024