AVOCA, PITTSTON TWP. (WOLF) — UPDATE: Democratic congressman Matt Cartwright has issued a statement regarding concerns and reports that undocumented immigrants were flown into Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport on Christmas Day.

"“These are legitimate concerns and we’ve been looking into it. We know that during the last two administrations, federal agencies have responded to overcrowding issues by relocating unaccompanied children to the custody of properly screened family members, host sponsors, and charitable institutions," Cartwright wrote.

Republicans are looking for answers on how charter flights carrying minors in the care of Immigration and Customs Enforcement landed here in northeast Pennsylvania.

Former Congressman and republican candidate for PA Governor, Lou Barletta tells FOX56 there have been a number of ‘ghost flights’ coming into the Wilkes Barre Scranton International Airport

He says residents should demand more transparency from Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf.

“You know, if there’s nothing wrong with what the government’s doing, then why would you fly them at night, on Christmas night?" said Barletta.

Former US representative Lou Barletta and republican Representative Dan Meuser are asking state officials to release information regarding flights that allegedly carried minors in the care of the US immigration and Customs Enforcement agency since December 11th.

“I sent a letter to Governor Wolf and to Attorney General Josh Shapiro on December 23rd and still today have not had an answer from either," said Barletta.

A video circulating on social media reveals an intense exchange between area resident and Jim Gallagher, President of Aviation Technologies on Christmas Day outside of the Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport.

Representative Meuser says there have been four flights coming in from Texas with about 150 people on board each flight.

Our newsgathering gathering partners at the Times Leader confirmed with Gallagher that a fifth flight is scheduled to arrive on December 30th at 5pm.

Gallagher says his business and AVP are publicly funded and must accept the incoming flights.

“Along with it is the drugs that come with it and those that benefit from it are the cartels. I’ve been to the border twice, I can tell you we have a root of the problem and now because of this because the customs of border patrol, on the border are so overwhelmed, that putting these young children in many cases on planes, sending them off, hoping they find the right destination," said Meuser.

Barletta says the potential spread of coronavirus is another cause for concern.

“At the same time we’re told the virus is spinning out of control again, and here we are in Pennsylvania with people coming up from the border with no idea whether they have been vaccinated or not, putting our citizens and our children and our families at risk," said Barletta.

Representative Meuser says he has contacted DHS several times and will have a meeting with the HHS which handles unaccompanied minors, tomorrow.

Neither the airport or the governor's office has provided any official comment on the matter.