Arizona Lawmakers Demand Answers from ICE on Detention Center Measles Outbreak

Three measles cases have been linked to ICE detention centers in Florence, raising concerns about the spread of the highly contagious disease.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 6:15pm

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Measles has been detected in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities in Arizona, prompting four Democratic members of the state's congressional delegation to demand answers from ICE and the Department of Homeland Security about the extent of the outbreak and how they plan to contain it.

Why it matters

Measles is a highly contagious disease that can spread rapidly in congregate settings like detention centers, raising concerns about the health and safety of detainees as well as the broader community. This outbreak comes as Arizona is facing its largest measles outbreak in decades, with nearly 260 cases reported since August 2025.

The details

So far, three measles cases have been attributed to ICE detention centers in Florence, Arizona. In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, Rep. Greg Stanton and three other Democrats requested 'detailed information' regarding the cases and how ICE plans to manage the outbreak. The representatives outlined two dozen questions about medical care, vaccinations, protecting other detainees, and ensuring access to legal representation.

  • On Jan. 16, the Pinal County Public Health Services District confirmed a positive measles case stemming from an individual in federal custody.
  • The district has since confirmed two more cases, 'all involving individuals in federal custody'.
  • On Jan. 21, DHS confirmed that one case involved a Mexican citizen held at an immigration facility in Florence.

The players

Greg Stanton

A Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing Arizona's 9th congressional district.

Mark Kelly

A Democratic U.S. Senator from Arizona.

Yassamin Ansari

A Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing Arizona's 3rd congressional district.

Adelita Grijalva

A Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing Arizona's 7th congressional district.

Kristi Noem

The current Secretary of Homeland Security.

Todd Lyons

The current Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

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What’s next

The Arizona representatives requested a response from DHS and ICE by February 19th regarding the measles outbreak and how they plan to manage it.

The takeaway

This measles outbreak in ICE detention centers highlights the ongoing challenges of containing the spread of highly contagious diseases in congregate settings, as well as the need for greater transparency and coordination between federal, state, and local authorities to protect the health and safety of detainees and the broader community.