“Those responsible for violations of the law must be held accountable and the victims’ families’ right to truth, justice and compensation and guarantees of non-repetition must be upheld,” Mr Türk said in a statement.
Mr. Türk’s call comes as 18 people died while in ICE custody in the first five months of this year, up from eight people in the same period last year, according to ICE data. The US agency reported an additional death on June 4, bringing this year’s current total to 19 deaths. In 2025, 33 people died in ICE custody, compared to 11 in 2024.
There have been “concerning allegations regarding the use of force” in US immigration detention facilities, and five of the officially reported deaths in 2026 were classified as suicides, Mr Türk wrote.
Lack of transparency
ICE currently holds more than 60,000 people in detention, with plans to increase detention capacity to 90,000 people by the end of the year, he said.
At the same time, Mr. Türk drew attention to the lack of transparency surrounding the circumstances surrounding deaths in ICE custody and the whereabouts of detainees during transfers.
He also noted that prolonged uncertainty about legal status contributes to psychological distress.
‘Inhumane Conditions’ in ICE Detention
Detainees are often reported to face “inhumane conditions” in ICE detention, 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” which violates international human rights laws.
“All of these factors exacerbate vulnerability and raise serious concerns about whether some of these deaths in ICE custody could have been prevented,” the UN rights chief said.
Children must never be in immigration detention
Mr. Türk urged the US government to prioritize alternatives to immigration detention, particularly for pregnant women and those with significant medical or mental health conditions. He maintained that children should never be subject to immigration detention, regardless of the child’s or parent’s immigration status.
“U.S. immigration authorities must ensure that their detention facilities comply with international human rights norms and standards,” he said, including protecting the human rights of detainees by ensuring humane conditions, timely health care, family notification, 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 overseeing detention conditions and related public funding to ensure compliance with international human rights law.
Dehumanization of migrants condemned
The UN rights chief condemned the continued dehumanization and criminalization of migrants and refugees.
He also expressed support for those advocating 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 irreparable harm,” Mr Türk said.
