PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Immigration continues to be a hot topic in the U.S., including in non-border states like Pennsylvania.

Friday, Gov. Tom Corbett addressed the issue and how it affects Pennsylvania, saying health is a major concern.

“We feel for these children that they are fleeing their countries,” Corbett said. “We want to make sure they are taken care of and returned to their countries. But we also are concerned about their health and what they may cause as far as health issues in the state of Pennsylvania. From my standpoint, where they are coming in, there are certainly enough military bases in Texas and Arizona that the federal government could at least house them there temporarily to make sure before they send them to any state that their health conditions are okay for that. That they’ve had all their immunizations and so forth because we have a strong concern on that. From a humanitarian stand point you want to make sure these kids get taken care of but they need to be returned to their country of origin.”

KDKA’s John Shumway asked if that concern is diseases that could come up and spread to the population.

“Measles is one that comes to mind very quickly and what other diseases that they may or may not have,” Corbett said. “We can not be a country that just takes everything that comes here without at least looking into the background of this. And again this is one where the federal government hasn’t even talked to the states about “Can we send them into your state?”

“Obviously, Holy Family with the nuns there you know is a good place to take care of children,” he continued. “But that’s an imposition not only to the neighborhood but the state. What dollars are going to pay for this? Is it the Medicaid dollars that are needed for the people of Pennsylvania already which are very short? Again how are we going to pay for all these services? So we have grave concerns and again the Obama administration hasn’t even picked up the phone to say this is what we’re going to do can you help us?”