PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Tuesday that a bus of migrants is indeed coming to Philadelphia.
The bus, believed to originating from Del Rio, Texas, is set to arrive at 30th Street Station on Wednesday morning.
Philadelphia joins Washington, D.C., New York City and Chicago as destinations for asylum seekers being sent out of Texas.
In a statement, Abbott, a Republican, criticized the Biden administration’s border policies, saying Texas is “overwhelmed by the historic influx of migrants.”
Abbott said Texas will continue to add more sanctuary cities as drop-off locations “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 disgusting to hear today that Governor Abbott and his Administration continue to implement their purposefully cruel policy using immigrant families-including women and children-as pawns to shamelessly push his warped 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 saying the Lone Star State wasn’t “currently” sending migrants to Philadelphia.
According to the city, roughly half of the 30 arriving individuals are part of family units, and half are solo individuals. Approximately seven children may be on board the bus from Texas.
“It is likely that several individuals may disembark during stops in other states on the trip. Only three individuals have Pennsylvania reported as their final destination, according to the latest information provided by our local partner organization,” said officials.
Once the individuals arrive, groups like HIAS Pennsylvania will be providing them with resources.
“Some of the materials that we’re going to provide is going to be a map of the United States to show them where Philadelphia is,” said Cathryn 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 have launched the Philadelphia Welcoming Fund to allow Philadelphia residents the opportunity to contribute to local efforts to welcome immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers arriving in Philadelphia.
City officials are stressing that monetary donations are the best way to help the arriving migrants.
The funds collected by the Welcoming Fund will be provided to nonprofit organizations in the Philadelphia area that are supporting new arrivals.
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