UN Committee Warns of Rising Racial Discrimination and Immigration Abuses in US

According to the UN committee, public statements portraying migrants as criminals or burdens on society risk fuelling racial discrimination and violence.

The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) has issued a warning about increasing racial discrimination and human rights violations in the United States, citing racist rhetoric by political leaders and intensified immigration enforcement measures.

The Committee raised concerns that derogatory language used by political figures, including the President, combined with stricter immigration crackdowns, is contributing to a climate of discrimination against migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.

Concern Over Racist and Dehumanizing Rhetoric

According to the UN committee, public statements portraying migrants as criminals or burdens on society risk fuelling racial discrimination and violence.

The Committee said it was deeply disturbed by the growing use of derogatory and dehumanizing language, as well as the spread of harmful stereotypes targeting migrant communities.

“Portraying them as criminals or as a burden, by politicians and influential public figures at the highest level, particularly the President, may incite racial discrimination and hate crimes,” the Committee stated.

Allegations of Racial Profiling by Immigration Authorities

The report also raised alarm over what it described as systematic racial profiling during immigration enforcement operations.

The Committee said officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have reportedly conducted arbitrary identity checks and enforcement actions disproportionately targeting people of Hispanic/Latino, African, and Asian origin.

These actions, according to the Committee, have resulted in widespread arrests of migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and individuals perceived to belong to these groups.

Deaths and Violence During Enforcement Operations

The UN body also expressed concern about excessive use of force by immigration enforcement officers.

It reported that at least eight people have died since January 2026 during ICE operations or while in ICE custody.

Those deaths reportedly included:

• Protesters exercising their right to peaceful assembly

• Detained migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers

The Committee warned that such incidents raise serious concerns about the safety and physical integrity of vulnerable populations.

Immigration Enforcement Near Schools and Hospitals

CERD also criticised the removal of longstanding policies that previously limited immigration enforcement operations near sensitive locations, including:

• Schools

• Hospitals

• Faith-based institutions

The Committee warned that enforcement activity in these areas discourages migrants—particularly undocumented migrants—from accessing essential services.

“This hinders migrants, in particular undocumented migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and those perceived as such, from accessing essential services such as healthcare and education,” the Committee said.

Concerns Over Discriminatory Immigration Policies

The Committee also highlighted several immigration measures it considers discriminatory, including:

• Automatic denial of pending asylum applications from Afghan applicants

• Re-review of previously approved asylum and immigration cases involving individuals from 19 countries who entered the United States after 20 January 2021

• Suspension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of several countries, including:

  • Afghanistan

  • Cameroon

  • Ethiopia

  • Haiti

  • Honduras

  • Myanmar

  • Nepal

  • Nicaragua

  • South Sudan

According to the Committee, these measures disproportionately affect vulnerable populations already facing conflict, instability, or persecution.

UN Calls for Policy Changes

The Committee urged the United States government to conduct a human rights-based review of immigration policies adopted since January 2025.

Among its recommendations, CERD called for:

• Suspending immigration enforcement operations near schools, hospitals, and places of worship

• Establishing a clear legal definition of racial profiling and explicitly prohibiting it

• Publicly condemning racist hate speech and racial discrimination

• Expanding non-custodial alternatives to detention, especially for children, families, and other vulnerable groups

Early Warning Procedure Invoked

The statement was issued under CERD’s early warning and urgent action procedures, mechanisms used when the Committee believes there is a risk of serious violations of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).

The United States ratified the convention in 1994, committing to combat racial discrimination and ensure equal protection under the law.