United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has called for immediate action to prevent further deaths in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, urging independent investigations into every reported death and stronger oversight of the country’s immigration detention system.
In a statement issued from Geneva on June 26, Türk said he was alarmed by official US government data showing that 18 people died while in ICE detention during the first five months of 2026. Another death in ICE custody was reported in June. The number follows 33 deaths recorded in 2025, compared with 11 in 2024.
Türk said the lack of transparency surrounding the circumstances of deaths in custody raises concerns about accountability. He called for investigations that are prompt, independent, impartial, and effective, stating that any individuals responsible for violations of the law must be held accountable and that the families of victims should receive access to truth, justice, reparations, and guarantees against future violations.
The High Commissioner’s concerns come as the US immigration detention system has expanded significantly. According to official data cited by the United Nations, ICE currently holds more than 60,000 people, compared with approximately 40,000 in early 2025. Authorities have plans to increase detention capacity further, reaching up to 90,000 people by the end of 2026.
The United Nations statement highlighted concerns regarding the conditions faced by detainees, including families with children and people with medical vulnerabilities. Reports have raised allegations of inadequate healthcare, insufficient food, overcrowding, exposure to disease outbreaks, and the use of force in detention facilities.
Among the deaths recorded in 2026, five were classified as suicides, according to official figures. Türk said concerns about detention conditions, access to care, and the treatment of vulnerable individuals raised questions about whether some deaths could have been prevented.
The UN rights chief also pointed to reports of detainees experiencing uncertainty during transfers between facilities, with families sometimes lacking information about their whereabouts. He said prolonged uncertainty over legal status and immigration procedures contributes to psychological distress among people held in detention.
Türk expressed particular concern about the reported use of solitary confinement, which he said should only be used as an exceptional measure. He warned that prolonged or indefinite solitary confinement could amount to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
The High Commissioner called on US authorities to prioritize alternatives to detention and said immigration detention should remain an exceptional measure of last resort. He emphasized that detention should generally be avoided for people with serious medical or mental health conditions, pregnant women, and children, regardless of their immigration status or that of their parents.
According to Türk, immigration detention facilities must comply with international human rights standards. This includes ensuring humane conditions, preventing overcrowding, providing timely access to healthcare and mental health services, notifying families, allowing consular assistance and legal representation, and providing interpretation services when needed.
He also urged the restoration and strengthening of independent oversight mechanisms for immigration detention, describing them as essential safeguards against abuse. Türk highlighted the role of congressional oversight bodies in monitoring immigration enforcement practices and related public spending to improve compliance with international human rights obligations.
The UN official also criticized the continued dehumanization and criminalization of migrants and refugees, while recognizing the work of lawyers, journalists, faith-based organizations, and civil society groups advocating for the protection of human rights.
Türk concluded by emphasizing that no person should be returned to a location where they could face serious human rights violations or irreversible harm, regardless of their immigration status.
