“ARBITRARY VIOLENCE”
He warned that quite a few US migration insurance policies have been leading to arbitrary and illegal arrests and detentions, in addition to flawed removing choices.
“People are being surveilled and detained, generally violently, together with at hospitals, church buildings, mosques, courthouses, markets, colleges, and even inside their very own properties, usually solely on mere suspicion of being undocumented migrants,” Turk stated.
“Those that dare to talk up or protest peacefully in opposition to heavy-handed immigration raids are vilified and threatened by officers, and occasionally subjected to arbitrary violence themselves.”
He stated many arrests, detentions, and expulsions happen with out efforts to evaluate and preserve household unity, exposing particularly kids to dangers of extreme and long-term hurt.
“I name on the administration to finish practices which are tearing aside households,” he stated.
“SCAPEGOATING TACTICS”
Turk acknowledged that “states have the authority to determine their nationwide migration insurance policies”, however “this must be carried out in full accordance with the regulation”.
He additionally expressed deep concern concerning the dehumanising narratives steadily used to explain migrants and refugees, particularly in the US, which had been formed so “profoundly by the contributions of migrants”.
“Demonising migrants and refugees collectively as criminals, threats, or burdens on society – primarily based on their origin, nationality or migration standing – is inhuman, unsuitable, and it goes in opposition to the very material and foundations of the nation.”
Turk urged “leaders in any respect ranges within the US to halt using scapegoating techniques that search to distract and divide, and which enhance the publicity of migrants and refugees to xenophobic hostility and abuse”.
The UN rights chief additionally referred to as for an “unbiased and clear investigation” into deaths in ICE custody.
A minimum of 30 such deaths have been reported final yr, and an extra six have been reported to this point this yr, he identified.
