End the Cruelty of Solitary Confinement in ICE Detention | Physicians for Human Rights

End the Cruelty of Solitary Confinement in ICE Detention

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Unprecedented levels of arrests and detention carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are causing fear in immigrant communities across the country. And once inside ICE detention centers, people seeking asylum and fleeing violence and persecution are being subjected to unimaginable cruelty.

A new investigation by PHR and partners reveals that ICE is using solitary confinement to punish immigrants in detention, causing serious health harm. Our team found that at least 10,500 people were placed in solitary confinement in U.S. immigration detention centers over just 14 months. During the first four months of the second Trump presidency, the use of solitary confinement accelerated dramatically to twice historical rates.

This crisis has worsened at the same time that Congress has authorized a massive expansion of immigration detention funding to $45 billion through 2029, while simultaneously reducing oversight staff by over 300 positions in critical offices.

We have a window to act now before it’s too late. Add your name to PHR’s call for action to urge your Members of Congress to end ICE’s inhumane, cruel, and avoidable use of solitary confinement.

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Your Message
End the cruelty of solitary confinement in immigration detention.
To members of the U.S. Congress:

As your constituent, I am writing to express grave concern about the use of solitary confinement in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities and to urge your intervention. A new report, "Cruelty Campaign: Solitary Confinement in U.S. Immigration Detention" by Physicians for Human Rights and partners reveals that over 10,000 people were placed in solitary confinement in just 14 months, with use accelerating dramatically in 2025 to twice historical rates. 

This practice violates international human rights standards as well as ICE’s own directives. Solitary confinement is being systematically misused for minor infractions as retaliation, and against vulnerable populations including individuals with mental illness and disabilities.

This crisis has worsened at the same time that Congress has authorized a massive expansion of immigration detention funding to $45 billion through 2029, while simultaneously reducing oversight staff by over 300 positions in critical offices.

I urge you to take immediate action by:
1) passing legislation to end solitary confinement in immigration detention entirely, with immediate protections for vulnerable populations;
2) reasserting and strengthening Congressional oversight authority by ensuring unannounced inspection rights to all detention facilities;
3) demanding transparency and accountability by requiring ICE to collect and publicly report complete, accurate data on solitary confinement use; and
4) supporting ratification of the UN Optional Protocol Against Torture to enable independent international monitoring.

As my elected representative, you have both the constitutional authority and moral obligation to ensure these facilities operate transparently and humanely. I ask that you exercise your oversight power, visit detention facilities in our district, and work to end practices that constitute torture under international law. 

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]