“These chargeable for violations of the legislation have to be held to account, and the rights of the victims’ households to fact, justice and reparation and ensures of non-recurrence have to be upheld,” Mr. Türk stated in a assertion.
Mr. Türk’s name comes as 18 folks died whereas in ICE detention within the first 5 months of this yr, a rise from eight folks in the identical interval final yr, in keeping with ICE information. The US company reported an further loss of life on 4 June, bringing this yr’s present whole to 19 deaths. In 2025, 33 folks died in ICE custody, in contrast with 11 in 2024.
There have been “regarding allegations concerning the usage of power” in US immigration detention services, and 5 of the formally reported deaths in 2026 had been labeled as suicides, Mr. Türk wrote.
Lack of transparency
ICE at present holds greater than 60,000 folks in detention, with plans to extend detention capability to 90,000 folks by the top of the yr, he said.
On the identical time, Mr. Türk referred to as consideration to the shortage of transparency surrounding the circumstances of deaths in ICE detention and the whereabouts of detainees throughout transfers.
He additionally famous that extended uncertainty surrounding authorized standing contributes to psychological misery.
‘Inhuman situations’ in ICE detention
Detainees are steadily reported to face “inhuman situations” in ICE detention, together with insufficient healthcare and meals and publicity to illnesses.
Mr. Türk expressed alarm over the reported use of solitary confinement. He stated that extended or indefinite use of solitary confinement might quantity to “merciless, inhuman or degrading therapy”, which violates worldwide human rights legal guidelines.
“All these elements exacerbate vulnerability and lift severe issues as as to whether a few of these deaths in ICE custody might have been prevented,” the UN rights chief stated.
Kids must not ever be in immigration detention
Mr. Türk urged the US Authorities to prioritise alternate options to immigration detention, particularly for pregnant ladies and people with important medical or psychological well being situations. He maintained that kids ought to by no means be topic to immigration detention, whatever the youngster’s or dad and mom’ immigration standing.
“US immigration authorities should be certain that their detention services adjust to worldwide human rights norms and requirements,” he said, together with defending the human rights of detainees by making certain humane situations, well timed healthcare, household notification, an finish to overcrowding and entry to authorized illustration, consular help and interpretation companies.
Mr. Türk harassed the United States Congress’s necessary position in overseeing detention situations and related public funding to make sure compliance with worldwide human rights legislation.
Dehumanisation of migrants denounced
The UN rights chief denounced the continued dehumanisation and criminalisation of migrants and refugees.
He additionally expressed help for these advocating their human rights, together with attorneys, journalists, faith-based organisations and civil society teams.
“Nobody ought to be despatched again to a spot the place they may face severe human rights violations or different irreversible hurt,” Mr. Türk stated.
