Deaths in US immigration custody must be investigated: UN rights chief
“Those responsible for violations of the law must be held accountable, and the rights of victims’ families to truth, justice and reparation and guarantees against recurrence must be upheld,” Mr Türk said in a speech. statement.
Mr. Türk’s call comes as 18 people died while in ICE detention in the first five months of this year, an increase from eight people in the same period last year, according to ICE data. The US agency reported one additional death on June 4, bringing the current total to 19 this year. In 2025, 33 people died in ICE custody, compared to 11 in 2024.
There are “concerning allegations regarding the use of force” in US immigration detention centers, and five of the officially reported deaths in 2026 were classified as suicides, Mr Türk wrote.
Lack of transparency
ICE currently detains more than 60,000 people, with plans to expand detention capacity to 90,000 people by the end of the year, he stated.
At the same time, Mr. Türk drew attention to the lack of transparency surrounding the circumstances of deaths in ICE detention and the whereabouts of detainees during transfers.
He also noted that long-term uncertainty about legal status contributes to mental health problems.
‘Inhumane Conditions’ in ICE Detention
It is often reported that detainees in ICE detention face “inhumane conditions,” including inadequate health care and food and exposure to disease.
Mr Türk expressed concern about the reported use of solitary confinement. He said prolonged or indefinite use of solitary confinement could amount to “cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment” in violation of international human rights law.
“All these factors increase vulnerability and raise serious concerns about whether some of these deaths in ICE custody could have been prevented,” the UN rights chief said.
Children should never be held in immigration detention
Mr Türk urged the US government to prioritize alternatives to immigration detention, especially for pregnant women and people with serious medical or mental health problems. He asserted that children should never be subjected to immigration detention, regardless of the immigration status of the child or parents.
“U.S. immigration authorities must ensure that their detention facilities comply with international human rights norms and standards,” he stated, including protecting the human rights of detainees by ensuring humane conditions, timely health care, notification of family members, an end to overcrowding, and access to legal representation, consular assistance and interpretation services.
Mr Türk emphasized the important role of the US Congress in monitoring detention conditions and associated public funding to ensure compliance with international human rights law.
Dehumanization of migrants exposed
The UN rights chief denounced the continued dehumanization and criminalization of migrants and refugees.
He also expressed support for those standing up for their human rights, including lawyers, journalists, faith-based organizations and civil society groups.
“No one should be sent back to a place where they could face serious human rights violations or other irreversible harm,” Mr Türk said.
