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Governor Says Vermont Can't Take Many Immigrant Children

Photographer: Donna Burton
/
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin says the state doesn't have the facilities to accept large numbers of immigrant children.

Shumlin was responding to a request from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services made to the states asking about the availability of a 90,000-square-foot facility that could host up to 1,000 children.

The agency is seeking shelter for thousands of Central American children who have entered the U.S.

The Burlington Free Press reports that in a letter to the regional Health and Human Services director, Shumlin said Vermont can only offer smaller facilities that would hold 75 to 100 children.

If asked, Vermont is willing to help Massachusetts.

Shumlin says that if the agency decides to look at smaller scale options the state could possibly participate, depending on community and federal support.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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