UN fears US immigration policies may lead to unlawful expulsion

GENEVA: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein said on Wednesday that US President Donald Trump's immigration policies could lead to mass detentions, including children as well as collective expulsions hence breaching international law.

Al Hussain, in an annual speech to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, said greater leadership was needed to address a surge in discrimination and "vilification of entire groups such as Mexicans and Muslims" in the country.

He also decried what he said were attempts by Trump to "intimidate or undermine journalists and judges".

Trump signed a revised ban on travellers from six Muslim-majority nations Monday – one with a reduced scope so Iraqis and permanent US residents are exempt.



The White House said Trump signed the order – which temporarily freezes new visas for Syrians, Iranians, Libyans, Somalis, Yemenis and Sudanese citizens – behind closed doors “this morning”.

The order places a 120-day freeze on all refugee arrivals.