Philadelphia Welcomes the Fifth Bus of Migrants From Texas

Texas Governor Greg Abbott buses another group of migrants to PhiladelphiaPhoto byTwitter

On Wednesday morning, November 30, a busload of migrants arrived from Texas at 30th Street Station. Philadelphia officials were there to greet them on a rainy morning.

The city reported 49 people arrived.

Fox 29 reported 43 of the new arrivals were taken to East Luzerne Street in North Philly. Not every migrant plans to stay and intend to travel to other locations including other parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio.

The migrants were from Colombia, Cuba, Panama, Peru, Nicaragua, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic.

Non-profits and local hospitals were there to assist the migrants. They were offered food and water, health screenings, legal services, social services, and language interpreters.

Here's how can you help the newly arrived personnel

WHYY PBS reported that nonprofits have helped the migrants when they arrived in Philadelphia.

Nonprofits Casa de Venezuela Philadelphia and the New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia have helped support the migrants. Nonprofits normally don’t make money like a business, so they need your support and donations. Philadelphia has a welcoming fund where you can make donations here.

New Sanctuary Movement co-director Blanca Pacheco said:

“If there are people who have properties and are willing to work with us to rent them properties while they get on their feet and are able to get a job, that would be helpful.”

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has bussed migrants to several cities this year including Washington, D.C., New York City, and Chicago. Each time migrants were bussed, he never let cities know they were coming. So Philadelphia has to be ready for the surprise arrivals.

Pacheco added:

“We don’t know when buses are going to come. We do think it will happen and more people are going to continue coming from different avenues. We are looking for winter clothes to be donated, and then one of the things that is helpful for us are items that are in good condition and that people can use.”

But the migrants are happy they can finally start to get settled after traveling thousands of miles from their homes.

A 28-year-old man from Nicaragua Gary said:

"Thank God we're here. Everyone here has helped us out and treated us well. Thank God we're in this country," said Gary, a 28-year-old man from Nicaragua.

Mayor Jim Kenney needs to be prepared and take lessons from other cities on what to do and not do to help ease the process for the city and migrants once they arrive.

You can see the news coverage on the latest arrival:

Do you think Philadelphia can handle the arrival of migrants?