Texas sends bus full of migrants to Philadelphia, Mayor’s office says 

Texas sent a bus with around 50 undocumented migrants to Philadelphia, the mayor’s office said on Sunday, expecting to receive the migrants sometime later this week. 

The mayor’s office said they were not notified that the migrants were being bussed to the city, calling the decision “disappointing and irresponsible” because it did not allow them to prepare to welcome the migrants to the city. 

“We are a proud welcoming city and strongly believe that all people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect,” the mayor’s office said in a release. “Our diversity is our strength.” 

Starting in the spring, Texas authorities have bused thousands of migrants from border areas that are overwhelmed by the number of crossings to northern cities, including New York City, Washington, D.C., and Chicago. Texas Governor Greg Abbott sent the 300th bus filled with migrants from Texas to Chicago last week. 

The 52 migrants that are being bused from Del Rio, Texas to Philadelphia would be the first time migrants are being sent to the city. 

A spokesperson for Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said that “the situation is still fluid” and the exact timing for the arrival of the bus is unclear. 

"This information was relayed to us from a community partner organization as Texas officials have not coordinated with the City," the spokesperson said. "We do not have an exact location of where the bus will disembark, nor do we have any specific information about those on board, nor do we know if other buses are planned."

Philadelphia’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and the Office of Emergency Management have been preparing for the potential arrival of migrants from southern states since the summer. Several local organizations and agencies have been meeting to plan an appropriate response for the arrival of the migrants, including shelters, food, and health services. 

"The migrants will be greeted, literally welcomed by various organizations because our city is one that is waiting for them literally with open arms," Steven Barsamian, an immigration lawyer, told WPVI.