Mayor Kenney condemns the cruel and dehumanizing policy of the Texas governor
PHILADELPHIA – The City of Philadelphia announces an update regarding asylum seekers and their movement to Philadelphia. City officials were told last week that a bus with about 30 asylum seekers was expected to travel from Del Rio, Texas, to Philadelphia. This information was confirmed on Tuesday, November 15 by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Since Texas officials have not coordinated with the city, we do not have an estimated time for the bus to arrive.
“As a proud and welcoming city that we are, we will welcome our newly arrived neighbors with dignity and respect. City agencies, Office of Emergency Management (OEM) mass assistance partners, immigrant leaders, and immigrant-serving nonprofits are working together to welcome, assist, and provide support to these individuals and families. Philadelphians know that diversity is our strength, and we want to acknowledge the generosity and compassion we’ve already seen from residents and community partners since we were alerted to a possible bus arrival in Philadelphia. It is possible for government and local communities to work together to strengthen support systems for newcomers and this has always been the vision and commitment of this administration,” said the Mayor Jim Kenney. “It is truly disgusting to hear today that Governor Abbott and his administration continue to implement their willfully cruel policies using immigrant families (including women and children) as pawns to brazenly further their twisted political agenda. Unfortunately, racism and human cruelty have historically been intertwined in the way immigrants are welcomed by and in this country, something the previous presidential administration openly and actively encouraged. Since this disturbing policy of uncoordinated immigrant busing began unannounced in other cities, various city agencies have been working hard with our community partners to prepare to welcome these people.
Late last week, the city was alerted of a possible arrival of a bus to Philadelphia from Texas by a local partner organization, the New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia, with information from another Texas nonprofit. At that point, the City began activating its mass assistance plan to board and accommodate the potential bus.
Since the summer, the city’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA) and Office of Emergency Management (OEM) have been preparing for the possible arrival of immigrants via unplanned and uncoordinated bus routes from southern states. Agencies met and coordinated regularly with nearly 15 local community organizations and partners to plan a local response, including preparations for immediate shelter and shelter space, emergency health screening, food, water, language interpretation and more. The group has been meeting since August, when community leaders alerted the city to an increase in these operations in nearby Washington, DC and New York.
Details of asylum seekers: Because Texas officials have not coordinated with local officials, this information has not been confirmed, but we have been informed by our community partners that approximately half of the 30 people are families and half are individuals. There may be around seven children on board.
It is likely that several people will disembark during en route stops in other states. According to the most recent information provided by our local partner organization, only three people have Pennsylvania as their final destination; the others continue to nearby locations such as New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Maryland.
Medical preparation: The city is working with community partners to organize the medical triage process and follow-up for newcomers needing medical attention.
Donations: The City of Philadelphia Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA) and the Mayor’s Fund for Philadelphia launched the Foster Fund Philadelphia give residents the opportunity to contribute to local efforts to accommodate immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers arriving in the city.
Funds raised by the Welcome Fund will go to Philadelphia area non-profit organizations that support newcomers.
Additionally, in the Philadelphia region, Service Center for Nationalities yes ORGANIZATION Pennsylvania are among the non-profit organizations that provide immigration legal services to immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers, including our newcomers. The Philadelphia region also has a thriving sector of immigrant-serving organizations that have stepped up to support these communities. Among them are Venezuelan house, Venezuelan people, Together, New Shrine Movement, Social center of Aquino, PA Immigrant Family Unit Project (PAIFUP)POPE Coalition for Immigration and Citizenship, Latin alliance, the Wyss and Maria de los Santos spa.
Please note that donated supplies cannot be accepted. The best way to support organizations that are helping people is through monetary donations to the groups reviewed above that are providing immediate and long-term help.
Note on terminology: The city’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA) recommends using “asylum-seeking individuals and families” to describe people arriving.
B-Roll/Photo: The Municipality will make available photos and videos which will subsequently be made available to the media, with due citation.
Guide for printing at the point of arrival: To respect newcomers and their privacy, we encourage the media to do so No they are located at the 30th Street station. Instead, media outlets are encouraged to position themselves outside our reception facility, on the public sidewalk near 600 E. Luzerne Street. Upon arrival at the 30th Street station, people will be transported to that drop-in center.
For privacy reasons, the media are not permitted to enter the property beyond the front gates.
