Louisiana Sues DHS Over Tuberculosis Exposure in Detention Centers
State-Level Health Concerns Clash with Federal Immigration Oversight
By Daniel Millsap, MD | March 12, 2025
Updated on March 21, 2025 to include verified sources and enhanced citations.
Disclaimer: This report has been updated to include reputable, objective sources from major outlets, government dockets, and legal filings to substantiate each major claim.
I. The Lawsuit Emerges
Louisiana filed a lawsuit in Lafayette against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), alleging federal negligence in containing a patient with a rare, drug-resistant strain of tuberculosis (TB). That individual was transferred across multiple ICE detention centers while contagious, potentially exposing hundreds. [1] [2]
The patient—an undocumented immigrant—was transferred through ICE facilities in Monroe, Basile, and Lafayette. [3] Tuberculosis is airborne, and drug-resistant strains require strict isolation and specialized medications. [4] [5]
II. Breakdown in Containment
The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed the diagnosis on October 9, 2024. [6] According to the state, the patient was not isolated for weeks and was at one point housed in the general population, potentially exposing over 170 detainees. [7]
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill called on ICE to hold exposed detainees until medically cleared. [8] ICE responded that it must comply with court-ordered releases regardless of infection risk. [9]
III. Legal Escalation
The state filed for emergency federal intervention. [10] On October 17, a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order blocking further detainee releases pending medical clearance. A follow-up hearing was scheduled for October 31. [11]
IV. Broader Context
This case underscores the tension between federal immigration enforcement and state-level public health policy. [12]
Related Follow-Up
For an editorial deep-dive into how this lawsuit reflects broader institutional failures and public health risks, read Daniel Millsap’s updated reflection on Medium →