The Controversial Use of the WRAP Restraint by ICE during Deportations

Sun Dec 07 2025 05:48:43 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

An investigative report reveals troubling accounts of the WRAP restraint device employed by ICE during deportation flights, raising serious concerns about detainee treatment and human rights violations.

The WRAP restraint device, intended as a safer alternative for managing erratic individuals in custody, is increasingly under scrutiny as reports surface detailing its use by ICE on immigrants during deportation flights. Concerns arise from accounts of prolonged usage for punitive reasons, as well as potential health risks associated with the device. ICE's operational protocols regarding the WRAP lack transparency, leading to calls for accountability and reform.

The full-body restraint device known as the WRAP has become a harrowing part of deportations for some immigrants.

The Associated Press identified multiple examples of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers using the black-and-yellow restraint device during deportation flights.

What is the WRAP?

The WRAP first appeared in law enforcement in the late 1990s as an alternative to tying a subject's hands and feet together, known as hog-tying, offering a solution to manage erratic inmates while avoiding in-custody deaths linked to handcuffs and positional asphyxia.

Used in over 1,800 facilities across the country, the WRAP has seen modifications tailored for ICE, which allows individuals persisting in the restraints for longer durations during flights.

Charles Hammond, CEO of Safe Restraints Inc., the device’s manufacturer, stated these adaptations aim to secure detainees without fully inhibiting their capacity to eat, drink, or maintain circulation.

Investigation Findings

AP’s investigation revealed distressing testimonies regarding ICE’s application of the WRAP, with accounts detailing its utilization over extended periods during deportation flights, often as a method of intimidation or retribution against those expressing fear of deportation.

Despite guidance from DHS's civil rights division expressing concerns about fatalities linked to the device's use, ICE has continued employing the WRAP without clear oversight or accountability, raising alarm among human rights advocates. Lawsuits and reports suggest detainees are suffering from treatment akin to torture.

Reactions from ICE and DHS

ICE and DHS have largely refrained from addressing specific inquiries regarding the device's operational deployment or their policies related to its use. The spokesperson for DHS reaffirmed the necessity of such protocols for safety, citing alignment with legal standards but declining to detail specific policies or comparative practices.

The implications of these findings highlight a pressing need for comprehensive scrutiny and legislation aimed at safeguarding the rights of individuals subject to detention and deportation processes.