
The state of Louisiana has filed a lawsuit against the Biden-Harris administration, arguing that illegal immigration policies allowed an infected migrant from China to enter and spread tuberculosis (TB) within the state. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill’s lawsuit targets DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, accusing him of endangering public health by allowing the migrant to be transferred through several ICE facilities.
The lawsuit highlights that the illegal immigrant brought a “rare, aggressive, and drug-resistant” TB strain, causing an “emergency situation” in Louisiana. The state is suing DHS, ICE, and the detention centers involved, demanding that ICE provide health screenings before releasing detainees to prevent further risks.
Gov. Jeff Landry (R-LA) addressed the public’s concerns, assuring them that “at this time, we have no indication that the public is in any danger.” According to the lawsuit, the migrant crossed the U.S. border into California illegally and was detained in July. DHS then transported the individual to Alexandria, LA, before relocating the person to Richwood Correction Center in Monroe, along with a group of 40 others.
Tests conducted at the correction center revealed a “highly positive” TB result. The state’s lawsuit notes that some members of the group have been deported, moved to other facilities, or released, raising additional concerns about further exposure. Louisiana insists that ICE implement mandatory health checks before releasing any detainees.
Critics blame the Biden-Harris administration’s immigration policies for overcrowded detention centers and the movement of migrants across state lines. Vice President Kamala Harris has faced scrutiny for her conflicting stance—advocating for both stricter border controls and amnesty. Louisiana officials argue that this inconsistency has contributed to the current health crisis.
Louisiana’s lawsuit emphasizes the importance of addressing these health and safety concerns, calling for immediate federal action to strengthen immigration policies and health protocols.