City of Pittsburgh preparing for asylum seekers to arrive

PITTSBURGH — The City of Pittsburgh is preparing for asylum seekers to come on Greyhound buses.

There’s very limited information on who they are and where they’re coming from.

They’re preparing to give people a safe place here at the convention center.

Pittsburgh police are monitoring the Greyhound bus station and the convention center in preparation for a group of asylum seekers.

“We’ve been working with a variety of agencies to put together a little bit of a welcoming committee so anyone who does come here will have an opportunity to get some rest while they wait for a bus,” said Maria Montano, press secretary for the mayor’s office.

Montano confirmed to Channel 11 that a group of approximately 1,200 was expected to arrive in Pittsburgh sometime this weekend.

These are not asylum seekers being directly brought from the border, which got national attention as the pandemic-era immigration policy called Title 42 ended Thursday.

Gainey’s administration says the group of asylum seekers expected here is coming from a detention facility, but they don’t know which one.

Cara: Do you think some of these asylum seekers might want to call Pittsburgh home?

Montano: Some of them might want to, but I think the vast majority are looking to reconnect with their families and their communities, wherever they might be.

The group will be welcomed into the convention center staffed by volunteers from multiple nonprofits.

Pittsburgh police released this statement saying in part:

“At this point, there is no indication of an immediate influx of asylum seekers, but that could change at any time so the city is in contact with several local partners to ensure it is prepared.”

Those who arrive will be given phones to use, food and drinks.

“We are really proud of Pittsburgh, it is the mayor’s vision to make Pittsburgh the most welcoming city in America, doesn’t matter where you come from or who you are, you are welcome here in the city,” said Montano.

The mayor’s spokesperson says nothing is set up yet inside the convention center.

They’re just waiting for word on when buses could arrive.

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