Chambersburg debates housing 1,000 migrant minors in historic orphanage

A Pennsylvania community is facing significant unrest over plans to house approximately 1,000 unaccompanied migrant minors in a historic orphanage building located in Scotland, near Gettysburg. The property, which has recently been used as a summer camp, is owned by a New Jersey-based LLC and is being considered by an Indiana disaster response organization, USA Up Star, for sheltering refugee families. Local officials have expressed concerns regarding zoning regulations, as the building's current designation allows for low-density residential use only. State Senator Doug Mastriano and other local lawmakers have voiced their apprehensions about the potential impact on the community, emphasizing the building's deteriorating condition and its proximity to sensitive military sites. They have indicated that if the housing initiative were to proceed, there are bureaucratic avenues available to halt it, particularly due to national security considerations related to the nearby Letterkenny Army Depot. In response to the situation, Congressman John Joyce has proposed an amendment to prevent federal funding from being allocated for housing unaccompanied minors in privately operated facilities. Local officials have also highlighted the existing housing shortage in Franklin County, which is experiencing rapid population growth and a lack of affordable housing options. The community's concerns extend beyond just housing; they encompass the potential strain on local utilities and services. As discussions continue, local leaders are actively collaborating to ensure that their constituents' voices are heard and that federal involvement does not exacerbate the existing challenges faced by the community.