The bus, believed to be from Del Rio, Texas, arrived at the 30th Street station shortly after 6 a.m. Wednesday. There were resources available waiting for asylum seekers, including a SEPTA bus. The immigrants made their way from the Texas bus to the SEPTA bus, some wrapped in blankets and others sipping beverages, items provided by various organizations stationed at the station for their arrival. Members of the Philadelphia City Council, including Councilwoman Helen Gym, were seen greeting the group, which included children. Migrants will be taken to a shelter in Hunting Park. About 30 people seeking legal asylum in the United States were on the bus from Texas, but only three passengers listed Pennsylvania as their final destination. Philadelphia joins Washington, New York and Chicago as destinations for asylum seekers sent from Texas. In a statement, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, criticized the Biden administration’s border policies, saying Texas has been “overwhelmed by the historic influx of immigrants.” Abbott said Texas will continue to add more sanctuary cities as drop-off sites “until the Biden administration does its job and provides Texas and the American people with sustainable border security.” Democratic Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney condemned Abbott’s comments, saying in a statement: “It is truly sickening to hear today that Governor Abbott and his administration continue to implement their purposefully harsh policy of using immigrant families – including women and children – as pawns to shamelessly pressure him. twisted political agenda”. City officials and local agencies had been preparing for the arrival for several days, even after a statement from Abbott’s office Monday night said the Lone Star State was not “currently” sending migrants to Philadelphia. According to the city, about half of the 30 people arriving are family units and half are solo travelers. The bus from Texas can carry about seven children. “It is possible that many people will be disembarked during stops in other states on the journey. Only three people list Pennsylvania as their final destination, according to the latest information provided by our local partner agency,” officials said. Among the organizations helping immigrants is the New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia. “We’ve got a good team that’s been preparing for this for a couple of months, making sure when they come they’re welcome and supported and have what they need,” said Peter Pedemonti, the co-director of New Sanctuary. Philadelphia Movement. In total, 15 organizations and partners based in local communities will help with immediate reception and accommodation, emergency health screenings and language interpretation. Groups like HIAS Pennsylvania will provide immigrants with many resources. “Some of the materials we will provide will be a map of the United States to show them where Philadelphia is,” said Kathryn Miller-Wilson, the executive director of HIAS Pennsylvania. “We will be providing several ‘know your rights’ sessions in English and Spanish.”
HOW YOU CAN HELP
The City of Philadelphia’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA) and the Mayor’s Fund for Philadelphia created the Philadelphia Welcome Fund to give Philadelphians the opportunity to contribute to local efforts to welcome immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers arriving in Philadelphia. City officials stress that monetary donations are the best way to help incoming immigrants. Funds raised by the Welcome Fund will be provided to non-profit organizations in the Philadelphia area that support new arrivals. Copyright © 2022 WPVI-TV. All rights reserved.
