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January 14, 2026Open Forum Infectious Diseases0 citationsOpen Access

Epidemiology of Tuberculosis and HIV within United States immigration detention centers, 2019 through 2023

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RGRibhav GuptaDWD.K. WinslowRGRonit Gupta

Key Points

  • This study aims to elucidate the epidemiology of tuberculosis and HIV in U.S. Immigration detention centers from 2019 to 2023.
  • Data on TB and HIV cases were obtained from the Department of Homeland Security for 20 ICE facilities.
  • Cases were classified by ICD codes and aggregated monthly using average daily populations.
  • Case rates were calculated per 100,000 people-months, and trends were analyzed over time.
  • A total of 1379 TB cases were identified, averaging 23.8 monthly cases with high monthly variation.
  • A total of 1802 HIV cases were reported, averaging 31.1 monthly, predominantly symptomatic.
  • No spatial autocorrelation was observed in TB and HIV case distributions.

Abstract

Abstract Background Migrants detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are likely at higher baseline risk of Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV. Per ICE guidelines, TB screening is mandated on intake with no routine HIV testing protocols. This study explores TB and HIV epidemiology across ICE facilities from 2019-2023. Three month sliding average of monthly diagnosed cases over time from 2019 through 2023. Panel A. 3-month average of diagnosed cases of Tuberculosis by clinical presentation; Panel B. 3-month average of diagnosed cases of HIV by clinical presentation. Three month sliding average of tuberculosis case rate (per 100,000 person-months) by clinical presentation over time on linear and log scale stratified by reporting detention facility from 2019 through 2023. Panel A. 3-month average of case rate of Tuberculosis by clinical presentation on linear scale; Panel B. 3-month average of case rate of Tuberculosis by clinical presentation on log scale. Methods Data on TB and HIV cases detected in ICE detention from January 2019-October 2023 were obtained from the Department of Homeland Security for 20 facilities. Cases were classified per ICD codes and aggregated monthly. Case rates (per 100,000 people-months) were estimated using annualized average daily populations (N=18). We analyzed demographics, clinical presentation, system- and facility-level trends, and spatiotemporal variation. Three month sliding average of HIV case rate (per 100,000 person-months) by clinical presentation over time on linear and log scale stratified by reporting detention facility from 2019 through 2023. Panel A. 3-month average of case rate of HIV by clinical presentation on linear scale; Panel B. 3-month average of case rate of HIV by clinical presentation on log scale.Tuberculosis to HIV case rate (per 100,000 person-month) ratio by facility from 2019 through 2023 on log scale. Results TB: 1379 cumulative cases, averaging 23.8 monthly cases (range: 0-208) with 52.9% active pulmonary TB, 0.6% active extra-pulmonary TB, and 44.5% latent TB. The average monthly facility case rate was 9.4 (range: 0-873.3) for active pulmonary TB, 0.4 (range: 0-92.1) for active extra-pulmonary TB, and 7.2 (range: 0-520.6) for latent TB. A spatial analysis showed no autocorrelation (p=0.59). The mean coefficient of variation ranged from 2.5-5.1, indicating high monthly case rate variation. HIV: 1802 cumulative cases, averaging 31.1 monthly cases (range: 8-78) with 85.9% symptomatic and 14.1% asymptomatic. The average monthly facility case rate was 12.8 (range: 0-297.5) for symptomatic HIV and 1.5 (range: 0-83.0) for asymptomatic HIV. A spatial analysis showed no autocorrelation (p=0.69). The mean coefficient of variation ranged from 1.3-3.7, indicating moderate monthly case rate variation. The average monthly facility TB-to-HIV case rate ratio was 0.7 (range: 0-54) and held stable over the study. Conclusion Cases of TB and HIV, many likely endemic, remain a concern among detained migrants, with rising active pulmonary TB and symptomatic HIV case rates. While no spatial patterns were noted, variation in case rates over time for HIV and TB suggest a review of intake protocols, reporting and diagnostic consistency and study of migrant health profiles. Given the persistent caseload of TB and HIV, ICE has a unique opportunity for screening and sentinel surveillance to protect the health of migrants, the public and US biosecurity. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

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Cite This Study

Gupta et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6966f33213bf7a6f02c01101https://doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofaf695.054
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