Louisiana is suing the Biden-Harris administration, claiming that illegal immigration policies allowed a rare strain of tuberculosis to spread within the state. The lawsuit, filed by Attorney General Liz Murrill, accuses DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas of enabling the entry of an infected migrant from China, putting hundreds of residents at risk.
The state argues that Mayorkas, through his role, permitted the infected migrant to move through multiple ICE facilities, leading to an “emergency situation” in Louisiana. The lawsuit states the individual carries a “rare, aggressive, and drug-resistant” TB strain. Louisiana’s legal action also names DHS, ICE, and the detention centers involved, demanding that ICE conduct health checks before releasing detainees.
Gov. Jeff Landry (R-LA) spoke to residents, saying, “At this time, we have no indication that the public is in any danger.” The migrant had been living in Mexico before illegally crossing into California. DHS later transferred the individual, along with 100 others, to Alexandria, LA, and moved them with 40 others to Richwood Correction Center.
Medical testing at the facility detected a highly infectious TB strain. The state notes that some of those transported with the infected individual have since been deported or transferred, raising concerns about further exposure. Louisiana is insisting on health checks for all detainees, but ICE has refused to commit to these requirements.
Overcrowding in detention centers has led the administration to move illegal immigrants across state lines. Vice President Kamala Harris has faced backlash for her stance, as she supports tighter border controls while also advocating for amnesty. Louisiana’s lawsuit highlights the consequences of these policies on public health.