The full-body restraint device known as the WRAP has emerged as a controversial element in the deportation process for some immigrants, as identified by the Associated Press (AP) in their investigation. Multiple instances have been highlighted where U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers have utilized this black-and-yellow restraint device during deportation flights. The WRAP was initially developed in the late 1990s as an alternative to traditional methods of restraining individuals, such as "hog-tying." It was designed to provide a safer means for restraining erratic inmates while reducing the risks of in-custody deaths resultant from handcuffs and positional asphyxia.
Initially gaining traction in California jails, the WRAP has since expanded its usage across more than 1,800 law enforcement departments and facilities nationwide. According to Safe Restraints Inc., the manufacturer, over 10,000 units have been sold. The CEO of Safe Restraints, Charles Hammond, indicated that a modified version of the WRAP was created specifically for ICE, featuring certain adjustments that accommodate its use during flights and prolonged bus trips. The ICE version includes a front ring for securing cuffed hands, which still allows limited mobility for basic actions like eating or drinking. Additionally, it incorporates "soft elbow cuffs" that permit movement for proper circulation without affording the individual the ability to inflict harm.
Since its adoption in late 2015, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has expended approximately $268,523 on these devices, with records indicating that the Trump administrations accounted for about 91% of this spending. However, ICE has not disclosed specific usage records concerning the WRAP, leaving uncertainty about the frequency of its application in both the current and previous administrations.
The AP's investigation uncovered disturbing testimonials from individuals who had been restrained in the WRAP, describing experiences of being confined for several hours on ICE deportation flights dating back to 2020. Additionally, witnesses and family members from four different countries reported further instances of its use on at least seven more individuals this year. The investigation revealed that ICE continued its use despite documented internal concerns raised in a 2023 report by DHS's civil rights division, which mentioned prior fatalities linked to the use of the WRAP by local law enforcement.
The device has become the focal point of escalating federal lawsuits alleging that its misuse amounts to both punitive measures and acts tantamount to torture, whether applied in jails or by immigration authorities during international flights. Advocates raise serious concerns regarding ICE's lack of tracking the WRAP's usage, violating federal law which mandates documentation when force is employed, complicating the process of discerning how many individuals are subjected to these restraints.
While the manufacturer claims that the WRAP is intended to be a protective device for law enforcement dealing with individuals in a state of aggression, the AP found a significantly lower deployment threshold within ICE compared to the manufacturer's recommendations. Detainees interviewed for the investigation reported that ICE officers often deployed the WRAP after they had already been shackled, with reports suggesting this was utilized as a means of intimidation or punishment for those requesting legal counsel or expressing fear about returning to their home countries, particularly those associated with violence and torture.
ICE and the Department of Homeland Security have refrained from answering specific inquiries regarding their policies on the use of the WRAP. In an email from DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, she stated that the use of restraints during deportation flights is standard practice aimed at ensuring the safety of both detainees and the accompanying officers, yet the agency did not provide details on the relevant authorities or specific practices they follow.
