Amnesty International Calls for Abolishing ICE for First Time, Citing Unlawful Killings and Abuse

Amnesty International released a 168-page report on Thursday, September 24, 2026 — titled 'We Had Whistles, They Had Guns: Human Rights Violations in U.S. Immigration Enforcement Operations and the Case to Abolish ICE' — documenting alleged human rights violations by ICE, CBP, and other federal agencies during militarized enforcement surges in Chicago, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New Orleans, and Washington, D.C. It is the first time the organization has called for abolishing a U.S. government agency. Researchers interviewed 154 people affected by the operations between March and June 2026, documenting seven incidents involving lethal force — including three alleged unlawful killings (Renee Good, Alex Pretti, and Silverio Villegas González) and the shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, whose case has led to federal charges against the ICE officer involved — plus allegations of discriminatory detentions based on race or national origin, and violent repression of peaceful protest. Amy Fischer, Amnesty International USA's director for refugee and migrant rights, said, 'The last thing we need in this country is more cruelty at the hands of ICE and CBP.' The report also opposes the $70 billion ICE/CBP reconciliation package and a planned new family detention center in Alexandria, Louisiana. The White House dismissed the report as 'smears' intended to vilify ICE officers, and a DHS spokesperson responded by citing the criminal records of individuals detained in Chicago rather than addressing the specific allegations.