PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Another bus filled with migrants arrived in Philadelphia Wednesday morning — the fifth unannounced bus sent from Texas in two weeks.
The charter bus arrived across the street from 30th Street Station around 10 a.m. Officials said that approximately 49 migrants were met by city emergency management officials and members of local community groups, who have been working with the city to welcome the individuals and families.
It is not clear how many will be staying in Philadelphia.
Prior to Wednesday, the city welcomed around 150 migrants on the first four buses. The first arrived on Nov. 16, then on Nov. 21, and two more on Black Friday.
The city said they took 43 of the migrants to a welcome facility in North Philadelphia. Only a few have decided to stay in the city. The rest have moved on to neighboring states.
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Blanca Pacheco, co-director of the New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia, said they were in good spirits.
“The different buses have brought different energies,” she said. “I noticed this morning, [this group], they have better energy today. They are less scared and they are more in charge of what they want to do, which is good.”
Peter Pedemonti, also co-director of the New Sanctuary Movement, said most of the people on the buses end up elsewhere as they seek asylum, but those who choose to stay will get the help they need.
“It’s been really good to see the city come together and treat people as people with dignity and respect and love,” he added.