Displaced Venezuelan migrants are welcomed by a small Massachusetts community; why did they respond the way they did?

By Ella Hamilton

Over 40 migrants were housed, fed and cared for by the residents of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, a haven that is only expected for the rich and famous. But George Brennan, the editor of The Martha’s Vineyard Times, claims this community is far more than that.

“President Obama has a really expensive home here. There are actors and comedians and famous people who summer here. But this is a working-class community of 20,000 year-round people,” said Brennan.

Brennan explained that there are often lines that form at the food bank when it is open, and despite the media’s portrayal of the community as a playground for the rich and famous, the full-time residents work hard to keep their home a desirable place for national visitors.

Tara O’Connor, a political science student at Northeastern University, said that her perception of Martha’s Vineyard has changed since this story broke on national news and since she has had the opportunity to hear multiple perspectives. “Reading about this occurrence in the news shocked me. I had a prior perception that Martha’s Vineyard was only a destination for the very wealthy and elite, but it is even more than that,” she said.

On Sept. 14, along with the Martha’s Vineyard Community Services, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Edgartown responded urgently to help the displaced migrants. Quickly after their arrival, they were brought to the church in buses to be tested for COVID-19 and to be fed by a local pizza restaurant.

Rev. Joyce Scherer-Hoock, a retired Episcopal priest from St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Ayer, Massachusetts, said that the church was understandably ready to assist these individuals because it aligns with their faith.

“There's a lot of concern in the Episcopal Church for social justice and for homelessness,” said Scherer-Hoock, adding: “I've been in that parish hall. It's not very big. It's not a very big church. So they were ready to do it and they did it.”

She elaborated on the Episcopal Church’s beliefs, saying that their response to immigrants is rooted in Judaism. “When there is a stranger within your gates, welcome them, support the widow and the orphan,” said Scherer-Hoock.

Similarly, Rev. Carol Morehead, the rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Medford, Massachusetts, said “As an Episcopalian, I have never felt more proud to see them throw open their doors and say, come in, you guys, we're here. And it wasn't about a political agenda. It is how we live out the gospel.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis orchestrated the movement of these migrants from San Antonio, Texas, where they were loaded onto planes headed for Martha’s Vineyard. According to The Boston Globe, a representative for DeSantis stated that the migrants were brought to Massachusetts as part of a plan to relocate undocumented individuals to sanctuary states.

The unannounced movement of these individuals has sparked a national conversation on immigration policy, and whether DeSantis’s actions were justified. Ahsen Utku, a Ph.D. candidate in political science at Northeastern University, said that this occurrence should not be called a migrant crisis, rather a crisis in migrant management on part of the politicians.

“There's been an increasing pressure on policymakers to take into consideration the migrants’ agency and the migrants’ autonomy,” said Utku, adding: “when you are making the decisions that will affect the person's life, you will have to take into consideration their voice. What do they want to do? Where do they want to be? And I don't think they actually asked these people.”

​​Although their time on Martha’s Vineyard was short lived, the displaced migrants had a lasting impact on the island’s year-round residents and community volunteers.

A week after the migrants departed Martha’s Vineyard, a group of 40 volunteers gathered in reflection and honor of the people they met during this time. According to the Vineyard Gazette, one of the island’s newspapers, the reception consisted of a candle lighting to honor each migrant that stayed in the church.

“Anytime there is any sort of crisis, it doesn't matter what it is, the community rallies in support and this was no different. So I really can't say I was surprised by the community's response because it's come to be expected,” said Brennan.