Crisis May Result in New PA Immigration Center

The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that an empty hotel in Hazleton may be used to house some of the thousands of unaccompanied, undocumented children who have been streaming into the United States in recent months from Latin American countries, only to end up in the custoy of the federal government while awaiting possible deportation.

Congressman Lou Barletta, who represents Hazelton in Congress, said inquiries a former corrections facility in the Altamont Building in downtown Hazleton have been made by the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. 

Of course, Barletta sounds slightly paranoid about all of these children.

“What assurances do we have that the minors being transported to communities within the United States are not carrying contagious diseases?” the congressman said. “What background checks are being done? And where in America will they be housed?”

National security is also a concern, he said, as the drug cartels and terrorist groups could use the crisis at the border to infiltrate the country. Even those children, some of whom are teenagers, could be older and involved in these groups.

“From there, of course, they plan to just fade into the fabric of our neighborhoods,” he said. “I have grave concerns about the risks to our national security resulting from this growing problem.”

Take it easy, congressman. The children may be here against our rules, but there’s no reason to think they’re evil.