Officials with United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Monday they do not have plans to release a detainee with drug-resistant tuberculosis from custody.
In a statement, the agency said the man will remain at a Florence detention center pending a decision by an immigration judge.
Last week, members of Arizona’s congressional delegation expressed concern after hearing news that the individual might be released from custody.
Thomas Schryer, the public health director in Pinal County, also expressed concern about the potential release citing a significant financial burden on the county if they were called on to quarantine and treat the man.
"It really boils down to this really practical financial and operational impacts that this would have and really shifting a burden from a federal agency to a local agency," Schryer said.
Drug-resistant tuberculosis often occurs when someone doesn’t complete a full course of treatment. In 2013, the CDC recorded 96 cases.
