Volker Turk, the U.N.’s commissioner for human rights, on Friday accused the Trump administration of launching immigration raids that don’t respect the due process rights of migrants and refugees and have resulted in violent detentions at hospitals, courthouses and houses of worship.
Speaking at a conference in Geneva, Mr. Turk said he was astounded by the acts of “now-routine abuse and denigration” carried out by U.S. immigration officials.
“Where is the concern for their dignity and our common humanity?” the Austrian said. “Those who dare to speak up or protest peacefully against heavy-handed immigration raids are vilified and threatened by officials and, on occasion, subject to arbitrary violence themselves.”
The Trump administration said its rounding up of illegal immigrants has helped secure the U.S.-Mexico border and resulted in the arrest and deportation of hundreds of thousands of criminal migrants, including drug traffickers, murderers, rapists and gang members.
The Washington Times reached out to the White House for comment.
Mr. Turk acknowledged that sovereign nations have the authority to establish migration policies but said they must be done in accordance with the law.
“Adhering to due process is crucial to the legality and legitimacy of any policy,” he said. “If these principles are not followed, it will more broadly erode public trust, diminish legal certainty, weaken institutional legitimacy and violate individuals’ rights.”
Mr. Turk also denounced what he called unnecessary or disproportionate enforcement operations.
“Under international law, the intentional use of lethal force is only permissible as a measure of last resort against an individual representing an imminent threat to life,” he said.
Mr. Turk appeared to be referring to the Jan. 7 fatal shooting of Renee Good, 37, by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Jonathan Ross.
Trump administration officials said the ICE agent acted in self-defense because she was driving toward him during an anti-immigration protest in Minneapolis. Local officials in Minnesota have challenged the federal government’s narrative of what happened, saying Good was steering away from Mr. Ross when she was shot.
Mr. Turk said U.S. history has been shaped by the contributions that migrants have made.
“Demonizing migrants and refugees collectively as criminals, threats or burdens on society — based on their origin, nationality or migration status — is inhumane, wrong, and goes against the very fabric and foundation of the nation,” he said.
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.
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