The Controversy Behind the WRAP Restraint in ICE Deportations

Mon Oct 20 2025 19:50:13 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A recent AP investigation reveals the use of the WRAP restraint device by ICE during deportations, raising significant concerns over treatment of immigrants.

The full-body restraint known as the WRAP has become infamous in the context of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportations. The device aims to prevent detainees from becoming erratic but has been linked to punitive actions, such as intimidating immigrants who voice concerns about deportation. An AP investigation highlights troubling reports of its use despite warnings from civil rights advocates. Some detainees described being restrained for hours on flights, while multiple fatalities related to its use have sparked federal lawsuits. ICE and the Department of Homeland Security defend the practice as standard protocol.

The WRAP, a controversial full-body restraint device, has gained notoriety for its usage in deportation flights run by ICE. First introduced in law enforcement in the late 1990s as a supposedly humane alternative to more restrictive methods, the WRAP's recent applications have raised alarm among human rights advocates.

According to an investigation by the AP, the WRAP has been employed frequently on deportation flights since 2020, with disturbing reports arising from multiple detainees claiming the device was used to control behavior rather than for emergencies. Witnesses have reported seeing people restrained for hours, which mirrors ongoing concerns about ICE's treatment of immigrants.

The device, produced by Safe Restraints Inc., features modifications to allow limited movement during its usage. Critics argue that ICE utilizes the WRAP in ways that can be seen as intimidation, especially during tense situations where detainees fear being forcibly sent back to dangerous environments.

Furthermore, documents reveal that significant federal funds have been spent on these restraints, with approximately 91% of purchases made during the Trump administration. Nonetheless, ICE has remained tight-lipped regarding its precise usage policies for the WRAP, despite widespread outcry and calls for transparency.

ICE spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin defended the device's usage as essential for preserving safety during deportation travels, a claim met with skepticism by many advocates and entities monitoring the humane treatment of detainees. Critics continue to demand a thorough review of ICE’s practices and greater accountability regarding the treatment of vulnerable individuals in these situations.