WASHINGTON (AP) — A situation described as 'near-total secrecy' regarding deportation flights and the application of full-body restraints onboard has led to growing human rights concerns, according to a letter sent by 11 Democratic U.S. senators to high-ranking immigration officials.
Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen has requested that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) provide a full account of its air operations and cease the use of restraints known as the WRAP, pending clarification of its policies. Van Hollen emphasized the troubling nature of this transparency issue, suggesting an agenda to keep the public uninformed.
The letter referenced a recent AP investigation outlining instances where ICE has utilized the WRAP for extended periods on deportation flights since 2020, raising additional alarm among lawmakers including Senators Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker.
Critics have likened the use of the WRAP to torture and punishment, with some federal lawsuits alleging improper application of the device. Advocacy groups are worried that ICE is neglecting to track the usage of the WRAP, violating federal regulations that require documentation of the use of force.
Van Hollen reiterated that a lack of transparency from organizations like the Department of Homeland Security indicates an unwillingness to disclose their operations' true nature.
In response to these practices, U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) is working on legislation to limit ICE’s use of the WRAP. She addressed the serious implications of employing such restraints and the associated threats to the dignity and rights of those in the agency's custody.
DHS has not responded to multiple inquiries about the WRAP's usage. An agency spokesperson previously defended ICE's practices, asserting that they uphold legal standards comparable to those adopted by other enforcement bodies. However, records show that since purchasing the WRAP devices, DHS has expended $268,523, predominantly during the Trump administrations.
Moreover, the investigation uncovered a disturbing trend, where autopsies indicate that the application of restraints may have contributed to fatalities in cases involving local law enforcement in the past decade.
With ICE's practices drawing considerable scrutiny, Ramirez concluded that the current level of oversight and accountability is insufficient, stressing that the agency's actions must change to safeguard individuals in their custody.
