Amnesty International, a global human rights watchdog, has called on the US government to abolish the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. The organization, which has 7 million members and a global budget of nearly $400 million, has officially endorsed the movement to abolish ICE. This move signals a shift in momentum for the campaign, which has been building for years. The call to abolish ICE comes amid allegations of human rights abuses by the agency.
The movement to abolish ICE has been gaining momentum since 2014, when activists launched the #Not1More campaign. Organized by undocumented migrants and groups such as Puente and Juntos, the campaign has been supported by grassroots organizations like Mijente, Detention Watch Network, and Freedom for Immigrants. The movement has been fueled by allegations of ICE's violent and racist practices, including mass deportations and inhumane conditions in detention centers. Amnesty International's endorsement is seen as a significant boost to the campaign.
Amnesty International's report, published on September 24, highlights the agency's human rights abuses, including "illegal killings by federal agents." The report documents militarized raids by ICE in several cities, including Los Angeles, Washington, DC, Chicago, New Orleans, and Minneapolis. The organization found that ICE agents used excessive force, including arbitrary arrests, harassment, intimidation, and degrading treatment. The report also notes that ICE has used lethal force, resulting in several deaths, including the killing of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis.
The US Congress has seen a new legislation, the Reimagining Safety Act, introduced by Representative Delia Ramirez (D-Illinois). The bill aims to dismantle ICE and rebuild its parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The legislation has been supported by a coalition of officials, immigrant advocates, and civil rights groups. Representative Norma Hernandez (D-Illinois) stated that the militarization of neighborhoods and surveillance of families creates fear and undermines safety.
The issue of ICE's inhumane conditions in detention centers has also gained attention. Carlos Josué Marchena, a 36-year-old Costa Rican man, died in an ICE prison in Louisiana on September 18. His family reported that he had been denied meals and insulin, which he needed to control his diabetes. This incident echoes numerous reports of medical neglect and inhumane conditions in ICE detention centers, which have led to widespread hunger strikes by detainees.
The number of deaths in ICE detention has been rising, with at least 55 people dying in custody since President Trump took office. Detention Watch Network reports that 31 deaths occurred in 2025 alone, a record high. Experts suspect that the actual number of deaths may be higher. Meanwhile, ICE has claimed that its detention centers provide better medical care and living conditions than most hospitals and prisons.
Amnesty International's call to abolish ICE has been supported by activists and immigrant rights groups. Nadia Daar, executive director of Amnesty International USA, stated that ICE is "fundamentally broken" and cannot be reformed. The organization's recommendation is seen as a significant step towards reforming the US immigration system. However, the movement to abolish ICE faces opposition, with some arguing that the agency is necessary for national security.
Key points
- Amnesty International has called for the abolition of ICE, citing human rights abuses and inhumane conditions in detention centers.
- The movement to abolish ICE has been gaining momentum, with support from grassroots organizations and lawmakers.
- The US Congress has seen new legislation introduced to dismantle ICE and rebuild its parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security.
