23 MAR 2023
ICYMI: Philadelphia Mayor Publishes Column Celebrating Philadelphia's Commitment to Welcoming Immigrants – Even When GOP Governors Send Busloads as Political Stunts
Mayor Kenney: “Our country needs its leaders to put forward common sense solutions. Solutions that protect the right to seek asylum for those fleeing persecution and violence without jeopardizing the lives of children and families through detention or misguided bans. Solutions that offer longtime residents like Dreamers, farmworkers, and essential workers the ability to continue to live, work, and to contribute to our economy…We in Philadelphia will always stand up and fight for our highest ideals. We will continue to welcome migrants sent to our city with open arms, and make sure they know that they are welcome here.”
Philadelphia, PA – On Thursday, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney published an opinion piece in Newsweek on immigration, detailing the efforts by the city of Philadelphia to welcome immigrants – including those sent by buses by Republican governors looking to score political points – and calls on our leaders to forge common sense policies that protect refugees and strengthen communities. We have heard a great deal from Republicans playing politics with the lives of immigrants; it’s time to hear from a Mayor on the front lines of making it work in an American city.
Philadelphia is in a battleground state – the home state of President Biden – and one of the cities targeted by GOP governors with buses full of unassuming migrants. The city’s response to the cruel GOP strategy has been exemplary. Mayor Kenney’s piece details the ways in which his city has been able to come together to celebrate and honor America’s history as a nation of immigrants. He urges leaders to focus on delivering common-sense solutions such as protections for hard-working undocumented immigrants like Dreamers and asks leaders reject failed policies like family detention.
In case you missed it…
Newsweek: In the City of Brotherly Love, We Don’t Turn Our Backs on Immigrants
By Philadelphia Mayor, Jim Kenney
“In recent months, the governors of Florida and Texas have resorted to using migrants who came to the U.S. seeking safety and a brighter future for their families as pawns to score cheap political points by busing them to multiple cities, including Philadelphia. These cruel stunts deny the essential humanity of migrants and are unworthy of our traditions as a nation of immigrants.”
“To date, Philadelphia has welcomed 19 buses carrying a total of 838 migrants, and city officials, nonprofit organizations, and a diverse group of Philadelphia residents and businesses have shown up in a big way to greet them all. For some, Philadelphia is a waystation on the path to reuniting with friends and family who are already here. Others are hoping to put down roots locally. Whatever their final destination, we as a city are committed to making sure that they get there.”
“Our country needs its leaders to put forward common sense solutions that the American public supports. Solutions that protect the right to seek asylum for those fleeing persecution and violence without jeopardizing the lives of children and families through detention or misguided bans. Solutions that offer longtime residents like Dreamers, farmworkers, and essential workers the ability to continue to live, work, and to contribute to our economy.”
“Philadelphia is the birthplace of American democracy. It is the place where the words “all men are created equal” were put to paper and changed the world for the better. We in Philadelphia will always stand up and fight for our highest ideals. We will continue to welcome migrants sent to our city with open arms, and make sure they know that they are welcome here.”
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The Immigration Hub is a national organization dedicated to advancing fair and just immigration policies through strategic leadership, innovative communications strategies, legislative advocacy and collaborative partnerships.