Otay Mesa Detention Center Under Scrutiny for Repeatedly Failing to Report Communicable Diseases

The Otay Mesa Detention Center just got a serious wake-up call, a formal warning, from San Diego County Public Health. The big issue? They're simply not reporting communicable diseases as required by law. This isn't just a minor administrative oversight; it's a matter of public safety that has local officials deeply concerned, especially given a suspected tuberculosis (TB) case that reportedly went undisclosed for weeks on end.

Imagine, state law dictates a communicable disease be reported within a mere 24 hours. But in a recent, truly alarming instance, a suspected tuberculosis case at the detention center apparently wasn't disclosed to county public health officials for a staggering 21 days. That's three entire weeks! And, what's more concerning, it wasn't an isolated incident; there have been reports of earlier tuberculosis cases also slipping under the county's radar, never making it to their public health department.

This clear pattern of non-compliance, highlighted by the warning issued around September 17-18, 2026, has ignited a fiery response from county leaders. Board Chair Pro Tem Paloma Aguirre minced no words, stating unequivocally, "That's not a paperwork problem. This is my community's problem. State law gives them 24 hours. They took 21 days." Her sentiment perfectly captures the gravity of the situation: it's not about bureaucracy; it's about the health and well-being of the wider San Diego community.

The facility itself, located in Otay Mesa, is operated by CoreCivic, working on behalf of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This particular failure to report is deeply troubling, not least because such violations could eventually lead to professional licensing actions against those responsible. To complicate matters further, there's already an ongoing legal battle brewing between San Diego County and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) concerning the county's access to the detention center for crucial public health inspections.

The repeated failure to comply with fundamental public health reporting requirements isn't just a black mark against the Otay Mesa Detention Center; it represents a tangible threat. It underscores the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and strict adherence to regulations that are, after all, designed to protect everyone. Ultimately, timely reporting of communicable diseases is a cornerstone of effective public health management, and ignoring it puts countless lives at unnecessary risk.