The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has urged for adherence to international law and human rights in addressing immigration challenges facing the United States. His remarks come at a time when the U.S. is implementing stringent immigration measures. Türk expressed significant concern regarding arbitrary arrests and detentions, noting that authorities have been conducting surveillance and detaining migrants. He highlighted that in some instances, enforcement actions have involved violence in locations such as hospitals, places of worship, courtrooms, markets, schools, and private residences. He further noted that many individuals are being detained solely based on the suspicion of lacking valid documentation.
Türk also criticized the deployment of a large number of armed tactical officers during immigration operations. He specifically expressed concern regarding the high concentration of officers active in Minneapolis, USA. He pointed out that there have been observations of excessive use of force, emphasizing that such measures should only be employed as a last resort in life-threatening situations. Additionally, he stated that some detainees have been denied adequate access to legal counsel.
Furthermore, Türk called for an independent investigation into the rising number of deaths occurring in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He reported that 30 deaths were recorded in 2024, with six such fatalities already documented so far this year.
