It is hard to believe that in this day and age a U.S. Senator that is supposedly pro-business, would take the position of opposing Philadelphia’s sanctuary city status.

Here’s why:

Did you know that between 1950 and 2000, Philadelphia lost almost half of its population?

That change put the city on its knees, financially and economically speaking. Not only were the city government’s coffers empty, but also companies across the city shut down right and left.

This increased poverty in our neighborhoods. Today, 26 percent of Philadelphians live in poverty, but a new hope has been born in the middle of this crisis.

After 50 years of losing population, the city finally rebounded in 2010, when the U.S. Census Bureau registered an increase of almost 1 percent.

After five decades of double-digit population drops, this was great news for the city.

How did this turnaround come about, Mr. Toomey? Allow us to tell you: It was because of the population that you are now trying to keep out of the city.

Do you want us to go back to the past Mr. Toomey? Are you pro-business and pro-growth Mr. Toomey? Or is your stance only for the super-wealthy of the city?

Mr. Toomey: That is un-american. As Rev. Leonard Dow, pastor of the Oxford Circle Mennonite Church, recently stated:

“It is commonly understood by the great religions that a key measurement of a society’s moral compass is how we treat the most vulnerable and disenfranchised in our communities. Sadly, today’s action sends another signal that the moral compass of the Senate is askew.”