A ‘near-total secrecy’ regarding deportation flights and the use of full-body restraints by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has prompted serious human rights concerns among U.S. Senators. A letter addressed to senior immigration officials by 11 Democratic senators, including Chris Van Hollen and Elizabeth Warren, highlighted the need for transparency in ICE’s operations, especially concerning the use of WRAP, a restraint device criticized for its potential to punish detainees.
Van Hollen, speaking to the Associated Press, expressed frustration at what he termed a strategy to keep the public uninformed: “They want to keep the public in the dark.”
The senators referenced an AP investigation revealing instances where ICE has employed the WRAP on deportees for extended periods, raising alarms over how such practices align with human rights laws. The WRAP has been implicated in several federal lawsuits likening its misuse to torture, with advocacy groups highlighting a lack of tracking in its usage as mandated by federal law.
In response to the issues raised, U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez announced efforts to introduce legislation aimed at curbing the use of these restraints by ICE, stating, “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.”
Despite requests for information regarding the WRAP’s usage from ICE, the agency remains reticent, leading to speculation about the frequency and circumstances of its application.
The Department of Homeland Security has not provided clarity on these practices, with spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin asserting ICE's operations conform to established legal standards. However, scrutiny continues to mount as advocates push for accountability and reform in ICE's treatment of detainees.
Van Hollen, speaking to the Associated Press, expressed frustration at what he termed a strategy to keep the public uninformed: “They want to keep the public in the dark.”
The senators referenced an AP investigation revealing instances where ICE has employed the WRAP on deportees for extended periods, raising alarms over how such practices align with human rights laws. The WRAP has been implicated in several federal lawsuits likening its misuse to torture, with advocacy groups highlighting a lack of tracking in its usage as mandated by federal law.
In response to the issues raised, U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez announced efforts to introduce legislation aimed at curbing the use of these restraints by ICE, stating, “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.”
Despite requests for information regarding the WRAP’s usage from ICE, the agency remains reticent, leading to speculation about the frequency and circumstances of its application.
The Department of Homeland Security has not provided clarity on these practices, with spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin asserting ICE's operations conform to established legal standards. However, scrutiny continues to mount as advocates push for accountability and reform in ICE's treatment of detainees.
