Mike Donoghue

Free Press Staff Writer

© 2014 Burlington Free Press

Vermont has been asked by the White House to investigate whether the state can house some of the immigrant children that are illegally entering the United States along the Mexican border, according to Gov. Peter Shumlin's office.

U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell has indicated the administration of President Barack Obama reached out to states — including Vermont — with an initial inquiry about their ability to host some of these children, according to Sue Allen, Shumlin's deputy chief of staff .

"We've let HHS know that we are willing to investigate locations and logistical requirements and work with them to determine if Vermont would be an appropriate host state for some of the children who have crossed the border and are in custody," Shumlin's office said in a statement to the Burlington Free Press.

It was unclear how many children Vermont would be requested to house, the possible sites being investigated, how much it would cost and who would pay for it.

"Governor Shumlin knows that this situation is heartbreaking for the parents whose children set out on dangerous journeys often under false pretenses, and for the children now in custody," the statement said.

"Vermont has a long history of offering help to those from other countries in need, and we are willing to explore whether we can lend a helping hand as this crisis is resolved," the statement ended.

A spokesman for U.S. Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, D-Vt., echoed some of Shumlin's thoughts.

"Vermont has a long history of supporting refugees in need. Governor Shumlin and his team reflect that history and that ethic, and Senator Leahy applauds the Governor for the state's willingness to explore ways that Vermont may or may not be able to help," said David Carle, spokesman for the senior senator.

Sen. Leahy is working to ensure that states in which children are welcomed receive funding, Carle told the Free Press. "On the Senate Floor Wednesday he again urgently called on Congress to pass a clean emergency bill to address this crisis, and soon."

Obama has come under heavy fire for not securing the southern U.S. border

Obama has asked Congress to authorize $3.7 billion in emergency supplemental spending to deal with the situation. Opponents are urging that the children be turned around at the border for health and public safety reasons.

An estimated 60,000 children, most without parents, from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador have crossed the southern border in recent weeks. Some children say they are looking to reunite with a parent that may have crossed earlier.

The head of the U.S. Border Patrol union has said federal agents have been delegated to changing diapers and baby-sitting children instead of trying to intercept drugs, terrorists and other illegal activities.

Contact Mike Donoghue at 660-1845 or mdonoghue@freepressmedia.com