Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus was among officials who made sure young migrant passengers weren’t being trafficked last Friday when they arrived by a privately chartered plane at Orange County Airport. 

Neuhaus says they came from El Paso, Texas, and were escorted by federal officials in one of the latest highly controversial and politicized flights carrying migrants into airports throughout the Hudson Valley.  

“There were about 17 young Spanish, mostly female, 17 and under. I think the youngest was 13. They had three federal contractors,” said Neuhaus. “They were going to different places. Some were going in New York. Some were going to Connecticut. Some were going to New Jersey.” 

Federal officials say the flights are legal and are taking children to guardians or vetted sponsors, after the children were separated from parents while crossing the border illegally. 

Neuhaus says his concern is that there’s no communication or information from the feds about when the flights are coming in or who the passengers and sponsors are. 

He appeared on Fox News Thursday to join in the national conversation as more flights are being seen. 

News 12 has reported on the seemingly secretive flights and concerns since last summer when they were first seen in Westchester and then at Stewart in New Windsor after the end of President Donald Trump’s strict immigration policies. 

Despite concerns about the process and seemingly secretive nature of the flights, Neuhaus said he understands the human side of the situation and treated the group of frightened teens to dinner.  

“We stopped at McDonald’s. I bought everyone Happy Meals. I have to look at the human side of that. For 12 hours, they’d been traveling. They don’t know anybody.” 

A representative with the Department of Health and Human Services tells News 12 that the children are in the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement while they await immigration proceedings