“Those responsible for violations of the law must be held accountable, and the rights of victims’ families to truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-repetition must be respected,” 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, 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 this year’s current total to 19 deaths. In 2025, 33 people died in ICE custody, compared to 11 in 2024.
There have been “allegations regarding the use of force” in immigration detention centers in the United States, and five of the deaths officially reported in 2026 were classified as suicides, Mr. Türk wrote.
Lack of transparency
ICE currently holds more than 60,000 people in custody and plans to increase its 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 of deaths in ICE custody and the fate of detainees during transfers.
He also highlighted that prolonged uncertainty regarding legal status contributes to psychological distress.
“Inhumane conditions” in ICE detention
It is frequently reported that detainees face “inhumane conditions” within ICE, including inadequate health care and nutrition and exposure to disease.
Mr Türk said he was alarmed by 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 avoided,” the UN human rights chief said.
Children should never be placed in immigration detention
Mr. Türk urged the U.S. government to prioritize alternatives to immigration detention, particularly for pregnant women and those with significant medical or mental health conditions. He argued that children should never be subject to immigration detention, regardless of the immigration status of the child or their parents.
“U.S. immigration authorities must ensure that their detention centers comply with international human rights norms and standards,” he said, including protecting the human rights of detainees by ensuring humane conditions, timely health care, notification to families, an end to overcrowding, and access to legal representation, consular assistance, and interpretation services.
Mr. Türk highlighted the important role of the US Congress in monitoring detention conditions and associated public funding to ensure compliance with international human rights law.
The dehumanization of migrants denounced
The UN rights chief has denounced the continued dehumanization and criminalization of migrants and refugees.
He also expressed support for those defending 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.
