UN Calls for Independent Investigations into ICE Custody Deaths

The United Nations on June 26, 2026, issued a clear demand for independent, impartial investigations into every death that has occurred within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities since the start of 2025. At least 52 deaths have been reported in ICE custody since the beginning of 2025, with 18 deaths recorded in the first five months of 2026. These figures represent a steep increase from 11 deaths in 2024, highlighting a troubling trend.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk emphasized that the lack of transparency surrounding the circumstances of these deaths undermines accountability. He stated that those responsible for violations of the law must be held to account, and that the families of victims deserve truth, justice, reparations, and guarantees that such tragedies will not recur.

According to the UN office, ICE currently holds more than 60,000 individuals, up from approximately 40,000 in early 2025, and plans are underway to expand capacity to as many as 90,000 detainees by the end of 2026. The rapid expansion has been accompanied by reports of inhumane conditions, use of force, and solitary confinement that may amount to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.

Türk warned that many of these deaths could have been prevented with better safeguards and oversight. He called for immigration detention to be used only as a measure of last resort, urging governments to prioritize alternatives that keep families together and protect the rights of children and vulnerable individuals.

The UN’s demand aligns with findings from Human Rights Watch and Physicians for Human Rights, which noted that the death rate in ICE custody has reached its highest level in over a decade. The reports underscore the urgency of implementing transparent investigations, improving health care standards, and ensuring independent monitoring of detention facilities.

In response, the United Nations has urged the United States to act swiftly to prevent further loss of life, to provide immediate medical care and mental health support to detainees, and to reduce reliance on detention altogether. The call for independent investigations reflects a broader commitment to uphold human rights standards and to hold institutions accountable for the wellbeing of those in their care.