In a information launch on Friday, Excessive Commissioner Volker Türk mentioned people suspected of being undocumented migrants are being surveilled, arrested and detained – generally violently – in places starting from hospitals and locations of worship to courthouses, colleges, markets and personal properties.
The UN rights chief mentioned he was “astounded by the now-routine abuse and denigration of migrants and refugees.”
He warned that concern generated by such federal operations is rippling via communities, with youngsters lacking faculty and medical appointments, out of concern that their mother and father might not return.
“Those that dare to talk up or protest peacefully in opposition to heavy-handed immigration raids are vilified and threatened by officers, and now and again subjected to arbitrary violence themselves,” Mr. Türk mentioned.
He mentioned quite a few migration insurance policies now being carried out by US authorities are ensuing in arbitrary and illegal arrests and detentions, as properly as flawed removing choices. He expressed concern that enforcement actions typically lacked ample individualised assessments.
Due course of
US immigration enforcement is primarily carried out by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a federal company answerable for figuring out, arresting, detaining and eradicating non-citizens deemed to be in violation of immigration regulation.
Mr. Türk harassed that whereas nationwide governments have the authority to determine and implement migration insurance policies, these powers have to be exercised in full accordance with the regulation. Failure to respect due course of, he mentioned, dangers eroding public belief, weakening institutional legitimacy and violating people’ rights.
He additionally deplored Washington’s use of large-scale enforcement operations, elevating considerations that pressure has at occasions appeared pointless or disproportionate.
On 7 January 2026, a lady was fatally shot in Minnesota’s largest metropolis, Minneapolis, throughout an operation involving federal officers.
“Below worldwide regulation, the intentional use of deadly pressure is simply permissible as a measure of final resort in opposition to a person representing an imminent risk to life,” Mr. Türk mentioned.
Households torn aside
The UN rights chief highlighted the human price of these practices, significantly for households.
Mr. Türk cited instances in which oldsters have been detained or transferred between services with out enough data being offered about their whereabouts or entry to authorized counsel, making it tough to take care of household contact or pursue authorized treatments.
“I name on the administration to finish practices which are tearing aside households,” mentioned the Excessive Commissioner. He additionally referred to as for impartial and clear investigations right into a reported rise in the quantity of deaths in ICE custody.
At the least 30 deaths have been reported final yr, with six extra to this point this yr.
‘Xenophobic hostility’
Mr. Türk additionally expressed deep concern over what he described as “dehumanising narratives” utilized by some Authorities officers to painting migrants and refugees.
“I name on leaders in any respect ranges in the US to halt the use of scapegoating techniques that search to distract and divide, and which improve the publicity of migrants and refugees to xenophobic hostility and abuse,” he mentioned.
He additionally recognised the efforts of a variety of public officers, group teams and civil society representatives throughout the US, who’re working to uphold dignity, equity and accountability in the treatment of migrants and their communities.
Internet advantages of migration
He highlighted that the US’ historical past has been “formed profoundly” by the contributions that migrants, from all elements of the world, have made and proceed to make.
“Demonising migrants and refugees collectively as criminals, threats, or burdens on society – primarily based on their origin, nationality or migration standing – is inhuman, incorrect, and it goes in opposition to the very cloth and foundations of the nation,” he warned.
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