By Ebi Kesiena
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has expressed grave concerns over what he described as the increasing dehumanisation of migrants in the United States, warning that current immigration enforcement practices are undermining basic human rights.
In a statement, Türk said U.S. immigration policies and enforcement methods were eroding due process, family unity and human dignity. He noted that individuals suspected of being undocumented migrants were being subjected to surveillance, arrest and detention, often in ways that raise serious human rights concerns.
According to the UN rights chief, enforcement actions have taken place in sensitive locations such as hospitals, places of worship, courthouses, schools, markets and private homes, with some arrests reportedly carried out violently. He said he was “astounded by the now-routine abuse and denigration of migrants and refugees.”
Türk warned that fear generated by federal immigration operations was spreading across communities, forcing children to miss school and medical appointments over concerns that detained parents might not return home.
He also criticised the treatment of individuals who protest peacefully against immigration raids, saying they are often vilified, threatened by officials and, in some cases, subjected to arbitrary violence.
The UN official said several migration policies currently being implemented by U.S. authorities have led to arbitrary and unlawful arrests and detentions, as well as flawed deportation decisions. He added that enforcement actions frequently lack sufficient individualised assessments.
Immigration enforcement in the United States is largely carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the federal agency responsible for identifying, arresting, detaining and removing non-citizens deemed to be in violation of immigration laws.
While acknowledging the right of governments to regulate migration, Türk stressed that such powers must be exercised in full compliance with the law. He warned that failure to respect due process could erode public trust, weaken institutional legitimacy and result in serious human rights violations.
He further condemned the use of large-scale enforcement operations, noting concerns that force has at times appeared unnecessary or disproportionate. He cited a January 7, 2026 incident in Minneapolis, where a woman was fatally shot during an operation involving federal officers.
“Under international law, the intentional use of lethal force is only permissible as a last resort against an individual posing an imminent threat to life,” Türk said.
Highlighting the human toll of these practices, the UN rights chief said families have been torn apart, with parents detained or transferred between facilities without adequate information on their whereabouts or access to legal counsel.
He called on U.S. authorities to end practices that separate families and urged independent and transparent investigations into a reported rise in deaths in ICE custody. At least 30 deaths were recorded in 2025, with six more reported so far in 2026, he said.
