This morning, a bus full of asylum-seeking migrants from Texas arrived at the 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. The busing of migrants is attributed to Texas governor Greg Abbott (R) desiring to place migrants in heavily Democratic sanctuary cities. Despite the fact that Abbott’s actions drew comparisons to the Reverse Freedom Rides in 1962 and the recent Belarus—European Union border crisis, a majority of the Texas electorate support the busing of migrants by a considerable margin. Previously, Abbott denied that he was sending migrants to Philadelphia.
Among the children was a 10-year-old girl suffering from dehydration and a high fever who was whisked to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for treatment.
"Those who arrived today are private individuals simply seeking safety and a place where they can build a future. Let's remember that and welcome them with grace and respect," Democratic Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said during a press conference later in the morning. "Many, if not all, are seeking asylum and have demonstrated they face real dangers of being or have been harmed in their homeland because of their race, religion or their politics. This is a human right protected under our laws."
Even without help from Texas, the city of Philadelphia is well prepared to welcome asylum seekers, given that they welcomed refugees from Afghanistan and Ukraine. Several groups like HIAS Pennsylvania, Casa de Venezuela, and the New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia are willing to provide assistance to the newly arrived migrants.
"The migrants will be greeted, literally welcomed by various organizations because our city is one that is waiting for them literally with open arms," said Steven Barsamian, Esquire, an immigration lawyer in Bala Cynwyd.
[...]
"We will welcome them with open arms and do everything we can to make the transition smooth," said Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney on Sunday. "It doesn't matter whether they found their way up here, whether they were put on a bus -- they are human beings. They want to be in America. They want to do what all of our, most of our ancestors have done, is just make their life in America."
Philadelphia politicians have been critical of Abbott’s recent anti-immigrant stunt.
Councilmember Helen Gym was there and lambasted Texas Governor Greg Abbott for what she calls a political stunt.
"The thing that I would say I'm most angry about is that they put a sick child on there. She's dehydrated. She needs care. She'll be fine, but she's 10 years old and that is the thing we need to understand - that this is not a humane act," Gym said.
[...]
Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole expressed frustration in the lack of health screenings for the families in Texas before boarding the bus to Philadelphia.
[...]
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."