Two buses of migrants arrive in Philadelphia from Texas
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A total of 72 people seeking asylum arrived in Philadelphia from Texas on buses Friday before many continued on to their destinations. Four buses have arrived in Philadelphia since Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced he would be sending buses to the city.
Around 6 a.m., a bus pulled up to 30th Street Station, and the people aboard were greeted by officials from the city's Office of Emergency Management. Another bus arrived shortly after 8 a.m. Friday, carrying about three dozen people - a mix of men, women and some children, including babies and infants.
Community groups said the people have been granted asylum, meaning they're legally allowed to stay in the U.S. without fear of deportation.
Most of the people have been traveling for months, said Erika Guadalupe Núñez of Juntos.
"Philadelphia has made a really solid intention to be a welcoming city, so that folks arriving, regardless of what they've had to deal with over the last 2 months, they know that they're welcome here and there's folks waiting to support them."
Most of the asylum seekers are not planning on staying in Pennsylvania - they will be traveling farther to reunite with family in New York, New Jersey and Ohio. The majority will be traveling within the next 24 hours, said Emilio Buitrago of Casa de Venezuela, an immigrant advocacy group.
As of 12 p.m. Friday, 36 people remained in a welcoming facility the city established that can provide health screenings, shelter, food and water and other services.
Migrants in Philadelphia
Monday morning, a bus carrying about 50 people arrived at 30th Street Station from Texas. The city described it as the second bus sent from Texas.
Migrants aboard the bus came from Colombia, Cuba, Panama, Nicaragua, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic. They were fully screened by Customs and Border Patrol before arrival in the city.
A group of 15 nonprofits has been working with the city to provide services.
"We are ready," Buitrago said last week.
Maria Navas immigrated from Venezuela six years ago and she said these migrants are looking for a second chance at life.
"Some people just come to be able to give their children something to eat, for them to be able to have clothes," Navas said. "These are people from low income in my country."
Texas has also sent migrants to New York, Washington and Chicago.
Coastal cities including Philadelphia and New York have previously received criticism from politicians in red border states about immigration policy. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis flew migrants to Martha's Vineyard unexpectedly earlier this year, prompting local officials to spring into action setting up emergency shelters.
Democratic officials have called the migrant buses a political stunt that dehumanizes asylum-seekers. Republicans involved in the efforts have said liberal-leaning cities need to do their fair share of helping people who recently entered the country.