Group behind “Sanctuary City” billboards in El Paso explain goals

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- ABC-7 was able to talk to one of the people involved with SanctuaryCities.com. The group is responsible for several billboards that have gone up near Downtown El Paso.

They simply read "Sanctuary City" and have an image of New York City or San Francisco in the background. On one side they also read, "San Francisco Welcomes Immigrants" or "New York City Welcomes Immigrants."

Will Osborn said they just want to inform migrants about their options in the United States.

"These are cities that really, you know, go far and above to welcome the kinds of folks who might be coming across the border," Osborn said.

Osborn was asked how much the billboards cost, but he didn't want to provide an answer. He said the organization consists of "concerned Americans."

ABC-7 also asked him about the placement of the billboards. The signs can be seen on I-10 eastbound and westbound.

"The billboards are, I think about like 30 minutes walking distance from the border. There's obviously, like, you know, pockets of like, you know, nonprofits who are helping these these new asylum seekers all along that kind of corridor," he said.

The website on the billboard, sanctuarycities.com, also suggest sanctuary cities offer different types of services including ample social services, health care, diverse and tolerant people.

John Martin, the deputy director of the Opportunity Center for the Homeless, said Monday this type of messaging can be misleading. He said many some communities are already overwhelmed by the migrant surge.

"Some people have, like, cast them as, as misinformation or misleading, which obviously we disagree with really strongly. Like, these are cities that have stepped up and said through their policies, we're we're here to open our arms to migrants regardless of their immigration status, regardless of their criminal background, etc., Like this is the place to go," Osborn said.

He also explained the billboards are only located across El Paso.

"There's going to be a new surge of it, as you as you seen. So we want to make sure people know, you know, which places New York, Chicago, San Francisco are stepping up now," Osborn said.

He also insisted the organization was not part of a political organization or party.