The Commissioner for Human Rights calls on the United States to respect the dignity of migrants and due process

High Commissioner Volker Türk said in a press statement: “Individuals are monitored and detained, sometimes violently, including in hospitals, churches, mosques, courts, markets, schools, and even in their homes, often simply on suspicion of being irregular migrants. Children miss school and doctor’s appointments for fear of never seeing their parents again.”

Those who dare to speak out or demonstrate peacefully against violent raids are subjected to defamation, threats by officials and sometimes arbitrary violence, the High Commissioner said.

Repeated violations and insults

The UN official expressed shock at the violations and insults, which have become routine, against migrants and refugees.

He said that many of the immigration policies currently implemented by the American authorities lead to arbitrary and illegal arrests and detentions, and flawed deportation decisions. Concern was expressed that the implementation of these policies often lacked adequate individual evaluations.

While he said that countries have the authority to set their national policies in the field of immigration, he stressed that this must be done in full accordance with the law.

Demonization of immigrants and refugees

He also expressed his deep concern about the harmful and dehumanizing narratives often used to describe migrants and refugees. He said that the history of the United States has been greatly shaped by the contributions made and continue to be made by immigrants from all over the world.

He added: “Demonizing migrants and refugees en masse as criminals, threats or burdens on society – based on their origin, nationality or immigration status – is inhumane, wrong, and runs against the fabric and foundations of the nation.”

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights called on leaders at all levels in the United States to stop the “scapegoating” tactic that aims to divide and further exposes migrants and refugees to xenophobic hostility and abuse.

Volker Türk denounced the use of force in a manner that appears neither necessary nor proportionate by members of the immigration authorities and others. And he said: “Under international law, the intentional use of lethal force is permissible only as a measure of last resort against an individual who presents an imminent threat to life.”

He called on the US administration to end practices that separate families, and to conduct a transparent and independent investigation into the alarming increase in the number of deaths at US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. At least 30 deaths were reported last year, and six so far this year.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said that the United States has an obligation to comply with international humanitarian law and international refugee law. He stressed the need for immigration policy implementation agencies to respect due process, protection from arbitrary detention, the principle of non-refoulement, equality, non-discrimination and family protection.