New Concerns Over ICE Deportation Practices Amid Lack of Transparency

Fri Dec 05 2025 04:44:21 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A group of Democratic senators is raising alarms over the secrecy surrounding ICE's use of full-body restraints during deportation flights, which advocates liken to torture.

In a growing backlash against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), eleven Democratic senators have expressed serious concerns regarding the agency's use of full-body restraints, known as WRAP, on deportation flights. The group is calling for increased transparency and accountability amid allegations that such practices violate human rights. This comes after an AP investigation revealed harsh realities of ICE operations, prompting calls for immediate legislative action to protect incarcerated individuals from mistreatment.

In a recent letter addressed to top immigration officials, a coalition of eleven Democratic senators criticized the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for its near-total secrecy regarding deportation flights and the use of full-body restraints, known as WRAP, aboard these flights. Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen spearheaded the initiative, demanding transparency and cessation of these restraints until comprehensive policies on their usage are made public.

Senator Van Hollen pointed out the troubling nature of the current lack of public awareness, emphasizing, They want to keep the public in the dark. The letter he co-signed references an AP investigation revealing instances of ICE utilizing these restraints for extended periods during deportation flights, with concerns voiced about the inhumane treatment of detainees.

The WRAP device, which is at the center of multiple federal lawsuits, has been described by advocates as tantamount to punishment or torture. Concerns have also been raised about ICE's failure to properly document the use of WRAP, making it difficult to ascertain how frequently individuals are subjected to this treatment.

In response to these troubling revelations, U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez is advocating for legislation aimed at curtailing the use of the WRAP, highlighting the potential risks to the safety and human rights of those under ICE’s custody. ICE’s use of full-body restraints to immobilize detained individuals raises serious concerns about the safety, dignity, and human rights of those under their jurisdiction, Ramirez stated.

DHS, ICE's parent agency, has thus far remained silent on many inquiries regarding the use of WRAP, although a spokesperson previously claimed that ICE practices align with established legal standards.

Past reports have tied the use of the WRAP to fatal incidents across the country, further amplifying calls for accountability. With increasing scrutiny, advocates and lawmakers are determined to bring more oversight to ICE and ensure fair treatment of all individuals in their custody.