Immigration Crisis Reaches Pennsylvania as Community Rejects Migrant Housing Plan

Residents in a Pennsylvania community are vehemently opposed to a proposal to house up to 1,000 illegal immigrants in a former orphanage, citing concerns about the impact on their community and the ongoing immigration crisis.

A peaceful Pennsylvania community is embroiled in a heated debate over a proposal to house up to 1,000 illegal migrants in a former Civil War-era orphanage. The proposal, spearheaded by USA Up Star, a disaster response organization, has sparked widespread outrage and opposition from local residents and elected officials.

The building, located in Scotland, outside Gettysburg, was most recently used as a summer camp facility. However, USA Up Star is seeking to convert it into a shelter for refugee families, a move that has drawn the ire of the community.

Immigration Crisis Reaches Pennsylvania as Community Rejects Migrant Housing Plan

Greene Township zoning officer Daniel Bachman has denied the request, citing zoning regulations that prohibit such high-density shelters. USA Up Star is exploring an appeal, but the community and local officials are determined to block the plan.

State Sen. Doug Mastriano, R-Gettysburg, who represents the area, is leading the charge against the proposal. He has raised concerns about the safety and security of the community, potential disruptions to local businesses, and the impact on the township's strained housing market.

Immigration Crisis Reaches Pennsylvania as Community Rejects Migrant Housing Plan

Mastriano has also highlighted the sensitivity of the area, which is home to the Letterkenny Army Depot, a tactical weapons and missile repair site. He believes that the presence of illegal migrants could pose a national security risk.

Greene Township Supervisor Shawn Corwell has released public correspondence on the matter, expressing the township's support for Mastriano's stance.

Immigration Crisis Reaches Pennsylvania as Community Rejects Migrant Housing Plan

Local residents have also voiced their opposition, fearing that the influx of migrants could overwhelm local resources and alter the character of their community. They are particularly concerned about the housing shortage, which would be exacerbated by the arrival of thousands of new residents.

The controversy has reached the federal level, with Congressman John Joyce drafting an amendment to the annual Department of Health and Human Services appropriations bill that would prohibit funding for housing unaccompanied illegal migrant children in privately-owned or operated shelters.

Immigration Crisis Reaches Pennsylvania as Community Rejects Migrant Housing Plan

Franklin County Commissioners have also expressed concerns, citing the strain on housing and county services. They emphasized that neither Pennsylvania nor Franklin County have jurisdiction in the matter.

Mastriano believes that the controversy is a direct result of the Biden administration's "open border" policy with Mexico. He has criticized the administration for putting Pennsylvanians in such a position, referencing past migrant flights that landed in Allentown and Avoca.

The community is determined to resist the proposal, citing their concerns for their safety, well-being, and the future of their township. The outcome of the zoning appeal remains uncertain, but the community is united in its opposition to the plan.