Louisiana has filed a lawsuit against the Biden-Harris administration, accusing its immigration policies of allowing an illegal immigrant to bring a rare, drug-resistant strain of tuberculosis (TB) into the state. The lawsuit, spearheaded by Attorney General Liz Murrill, claims DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas enabled the migrant’s transfer through several ICE facilities, posing a public health risk.
Murrill’s legal action argues that the illegal immigrant from China, carrying an “aggressive” form of TB, created an “emergency situation” for Louisiana. The state’s lawsuit targets not only DHS and Mayorkas but also ICE and the detention centers involved. Louisiana is demanding that ICE conduct comprehensive health checks on detainees before releasing them, citing the need for accountability.
Gov. Jeff Landry (R-LA) sought to calm residents’ fears, stating, “At this time, we have no indication that the public is in any danger.” The lawsuit reveals that the migrant, who had previously been living in Mexico, illegally crossed the U.S. border in California before being apprehended in July. DHS then transported the individual to Alexandria, LA, with a group of 100 others.
Medical testing at Richwood Correction Center in Monroe returned “highly positive” results for TB, raising alarms. The lawsuit also highlights that some of the 40 migrants transported with the infected individual were either deported, moved to other locations, or released, increasing the risk of further exposure.
Critics argue that the Biden-Harris administration’s loose immigration policies have caused overcrowded detention centers, leading to the movement of illegal immigrants across state lines. Vice President Kamala Harris has faced backlash for her inconsistent messaging—supporting stricter immigration controls while also advocating for a broad amnesty.
Louisiana’s lawsuit underscores the potential health risks tied to current federal policies and stresses the need for stricter screening processes to prevent similar situations in the future.
