The United States violates the human rights of non-citizens through mass detention, denial of due process, abusive and discriminatory policing, labor exploitation, and suppression of civic space.

To draw international scrutiny to the rapidly deteriorating human rights situation of non-citizens in the United States, RFK Human Rights and 22 other U.S.-based immigrants’ rights organizations submitted a new report to the United Nations Human Rights Council in preparation for the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the United States in November 2025. During the UPR, a UN Member State undergoes a peer review of its human rights record by other States and receives recommendations for improvement. The last United States review occurred in 2020. 

The submission cites specific examples of the United States ongoing abuses of non-citizens, including use of private prison companies that are notorious for abuse; the detention and mistreatment of migrant children; the indefinite suspension of the U.S. refugee system and access to asylum; the invocation of the Alien Enemies Act to unilaterally detain and disappear people; ICE’s deceptive and discriminatory policing; labor exploitation of non-citizen workers; and escalating retaliation against non-citizens engaged in political speech. 

What solutions exist?

The report suggests concrete actions the United States can take to remedy human rights violations, including ending the for-profit immigration detention model in favor of community-based case management, rescinding the bans suspending asylum and refugee admissions and processing, and restoring and ensuring independent oversight of U.S. immigration enforcement. 

How can I get involved?

Read our submission to learn how the United States violates the human rights of non-citizens and to learn of concrete recommended changes in law and policy that can eliminate these abuses.

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April 7, 2025

Joint submission to the United Nations Universal Periodic Review of the United States of America