The reports that a 10-year-old child bused to Philadelphia by Texas’ right-wing governor arrived so sick that she had to be hospitalized did not deter him from sending a second bus just a couple of days later.
That would suggest Greg Abbott is somehow “pro-life” or pro-child, which he’s certainly not. In fact, the bus that arrived in freezing cold temperatures early Monday morning carried a larger number of passengers compared to last week.
RELATED STORY: Sick child bused by Greg Abbott needed hospitalization after arriving in Philadelphia, reports say
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Like when the first bus arrived on Wednesday under an expansion of Abbott’s stunt using vulnerable human beings as props, volunteers and city officials were waiting with blankets and welcomes, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. “Immigrant advocates wondered if the arrival of two buses in quick succession meant that more would be coming this week, perhaps even on Thanksgiving.” Would he be callous enough? Of course he would.
Numerous reports last week said that the 10-year-old girl who had arrived ill was suffering from a high fever and dehydration, and was taken to get immediate medical care. Local officials, including Philadelphia council member Helen Gym, “lashed out” at Abbott’s inhumanity, calling it “a terrible situation."
Two infants were among the children who arrived on the first bus, The Texas Tribune reported. That bus carried about 28 people. Monday morning’s carried about 48.
While Texas made clear in its official statement announcing the expansion of busing to Pennsylvania that this was basically a troll—“Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney has long-celebrated and fought for sanctuary city status, making the city an ideal addition to Texas' list of drop-off locations,” it read—the city of Philadelphia’s statement welcomed arriving families.
“As a proud welcoming city, we will greet our newly arrived neighbors with dignity and respect. City agencies, Office of Emergency Management (OEM) mass care partners, immigrant leaders, and immigrant-serving nonprofits are working together to welcome, assist, and provide support to these individuals and families,” as well as acknowledged the generosity of local residents and community partners who rushed to aid arriving migrants.
”The mood is good,” Pennsylvania state Rep. Amen Brown told The Texas Tribune about arriving migrants. “They’re excited to see family members. Philly stepped up.”
Still, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that at least one person who arrived early Monday appeared to be quite distraught. One photo taken by the Associated Press last week showed one migrant covering their face with a piece of paper, perhaps for their own safety, or perhaps overwhelmed by cameras thrust on them by Texas. It’s unclear if there was any attempt by Texas to coordinate Monday’s arrivals. Kenney said last week that his office was told to expect arrivals, but that was about it.
The continued arrivals come as Abbott has also issued a white nationalist declaration purporting to give himself federal powers against an alleged “invasion.” There is no invasion, just vulnerable people, like the 10-year-old girl he stuck on a bus because he maybe wants to run for president in 2024.
These are all people who have been processed by U.S. immigration officials and then put onto government-contracted buses to the tune of $2,166 per person. These companies apparently felt safe enough to transport them. Federal officials felt safe enough to allow them to continue on to U.S. destinations, and Texas officials apparently also felt safe enough to swoop in on them. So who are these supposed “invaders” you keep talking about, Greg?
Notable in Philadelphia’s statement are some words on what asylum means, and why vulnerable people might be forced to migrate. It’s worth sharing here, especially when the public perception seems to have become that asylum is something that can be waived away, when it is our law, and that seeking asylum is just something people just wake up one morning and decide to do.
“Families seeking asylum have arrived in Philadelphia,” the statement read. “Asylum is a form of protection available to anyone at risk of serious harm in their home country who must leave in search of safety in another country.”
“The first step for a person seeking asylum is to leave one’s home, one of the most challenging decisions a person will ever make,” the statement continued. “In fleeing their home country, they must leave behind everything they’ve ever known—their friends, family, home, job, personal belongings, and sense of security.”
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