PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Officials in Philadelphia are working with local organizations to prepare for the possible arrival of migrants who were put on a bus in Texas.
According to a city representative, the Office of Emergency Management was tipped off by a community group in Texas that a bus of about 50 asylum seekers is being sent to Philadelphia, and could arrive as early as Monday morning.
While the arrival from Del Rio, Texas has not yet been coordinated with Texas officials, Philadelphia’s offices of Immigrant Affairs and Emergency Management have been preparing for a surprise scenario like this since the summer.
Republican-led Southern states like Texas and Florida have been sending migrants to sanctuary cities across the country, including Washington, D.C., New York, Chicago, and Martha’s Vineyard since April, when a bus of migrants arrived in the U.S. capital.
It is part of a relocation plan to counter federal immigration policies and President Joe Biden's decision to end Title 42, a public health policy put in action during former President Donald Trump’s term.
Since April, the number of migrants arriving in these cities has increased from hundreds to thousands.
In September, Republican governors increased their efforts to transport migrants across the country, sending two planes full of migrants to Martha’s Vineyard.
The flights were authorized through the Florida Legislature, which allocated $12 million to transport illegal immigrants out of the state.
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In anticipation, Philadelphia is planning a local response to provide basic necessities like food, water, shelter and emergency health screenings to any unexpected arrivals.
While there is still no information about where the bus will arrive or who will be on it, Kevin Lessard, the city’s director of communications, noted Philadelphia will welcome and support any migrant arrivals. City leaders believe all people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, he added.
Mayor Jim Kenney echoed Lessard but criticized those behind the effort.
“This is what I don’t understand about people who profess to be Christians and talk about Christian ethics, and you put people on a bus and set them up for a political stunt,” he said. “We will do our Christian duty, our human duty, to take care of people in need.”
And, Kenney reiterated, just like when Afghan evacuees landed in Philly last year, the city will do all it can to help.
“It’s like a 36- to 40-hour bus trip, so they could be coming anytime [Monday] or Tuesday. But whatever day they come, we’ll welcome them with open arms,” he said.
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