Migrants at Martha’s Vineyard labeled crime victims

EDGARTOWN, Massachusetts --

Bexar County sheriff Javier Salazar has confirmed that the migrants sent to Martha's Vineyard are crime victims. This move by the county sheriff paves the way for those migrants to get special visas to be able to stay in the U.S.

That visa is called a U-visa and it is reserved for victims of crime or people who witnessed a crime. Some lawmakers are still seeking visas for these migrants on the grounds that they were flown to Martha's Vineyard under false pretenses.

In a statement to The Texas Tribune Carol Rose, executive director of the ACLU of Massachusetts said " Immigrants are human beings, not political props. We are proud that Massachusetts received these immigrants with compassion, and look forward to continuing to work with our clients as they begin their lives in our community."

The victims have been identified but because this is still an ongoing investigation their names cannot be released.