In brief
The WRAP, designed as a safer alternative for restraining detainees, is reported to be misused by ICE during deportation flights. Various accounts highlight its application in intimidating detainees, despite guidelines intended to limit its use to specific, high-threshold situations. With federal lawsuits mounting and allegations of inhumane treatment, the implications of the WRAP's use raise serious ethical concerns.
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 officers using the black-and-yellow full-body restraint device on deportation flights.
What is the WRAP?
The WRAP first appeared in law enforcement in the late 1990s, intended as an alternative to tying a subject’s hands and feet together in traditional methods aimed at controlling erratic inmates. Initially adopted in California, the device is now used by over 1,800 departments across the country, with the manufacturer claiming more than 10,000 units sold.
Charles Hammond, the CEO of Safe Restraints Inc., indicated that a modified version was created specifically for ICE, adapting it for long-duration transport while still providing minimal mobility for basic needs.
Investigation Findings
According to reports, multiple detainees have been placed in the WRAP for hours on flights. Observers in various nations reported similar experiences among others, despite previous internal concerns from the Department of Homeland Security. Fatalities linked to its misuse have also emerged in numerous cases, raising alarms over the ethical implications of its deployment during deportations.
Statements from detainees reveal that ICE agents frequently applied the WRAP to those who were already restrained, which seemed to serve more as a punishment than a safety measure. The agency has faced significant criticism for its practices, which seem to fall short of federal guidelines established for restraint usage.
ICE and DHS Response
Both ICE and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security refrained from detailing their policies regarding the use of the WRAP. Nevertheless, DHS reiterated that such protocols are crucial for ensuring the safety of both detainees and accompanying staff, aligning their strategies with established standards observed by other agencies.
The debate surrounding the use of the WRAP continues to unfold as advocacy groups challenge its application amid growing claims of human rights violations associated with its deployment.
