ACLU Lawsuit Challenges ICE’s Use of WRAP Restraint Device

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California has filed a lawsuit against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The lawsuit seeks records concerning the use of a full-body restraint device, known as the WRAP restraint, which is used on individuals in immigration custody and during deportation flights. This legal action highlights concerns about the safety and oversight of this restraint, often referred to as “the burrito” or “the bag.” The ACLU’s request aims to uncover how often the WRAP restraint is used, the policies that govern its application, and the methods ICE employs for monitoring its use and ensuring compliance with safety and legal standards.

Lawsuit Focuses on WRAP Restraint Use and Oversight

The ACLU’s lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles federal court, specifically targets ICE’s practices surrounding the WRAP restraint. This device is reportedly used on immigrants who may protest deportation or attempt to access legal counsel. Reports suggest that individuals have sometimes been restrained for extended periods, leading to concerns about potential harm. The complaint details allegations of breathing difficulties, chest pressure, loss of sensation, and serious injuries associated with the restraint’s use.

Medical experts have raised alarms about the risks of prolonged immobilization, including positional asphyxia and circulatory distress, which can be fatal. A report from October 2025 indicated that the WRAP restraint played a role in 12 deaths over the past decade, adding a significant safety concern to the ongoing legal action. The ACLU’s request for records is designed to provide a clearer picture of the frequency of its use, the policies in place, and the agency’s safety monitoring procedures.

ACLU Seeks Detailed Records on WRAP Restraint Policies

The core of the lawsuit is a demand for specific records from ICE. The ACLU wants to know how often the WRAP restraint is deployed, what policies dictate its use, and how ICE monitors safety and legal compliance. This includes understanding both the written rules and the practical application and oversight of those rules. The ACLU states that access to these materials is necessary to determine if ICE is adhering to constitutional requirements, medically accepted standards, and its own established policies.

The lawsuit also points to ICE’s Air Operations Handbook, which the ACLU claims offers insufficient guidance on when officers can use the restraint, how it should be applied, or what safeguards are necessary. The legal filing seeks to compel ICE to provide this information, moving beyond just the written policies to examine the agency’s actual practices and oversight mechanisms. The goal is to evaluate ICE’s conduct against legal mandates, medical best practices, and the agency’s own regulations.

Previous Reports Alleged Misuse and Inadequate Monitoring

The ACLU’s complaint references a November 2024 report from the Department of Homeland Security’s civil-rights office. This report alleged that ICE had misused the WRAP restraint, applying it in ways that deviated from the manufacturer’s instructions. Furthermore, the report claimed that ICE failed to adequately consider individuals’ medical and psychological conditions before applying the device and did not provide sufficient monitoring while individuals were restrained. These alleged misuses were linked to breathing difficulties and pain experienced by those subjected to the restraint.

The findings from the civil-rights report addressed concerns both before the restraint was applied and during its use. The ACLU’s current lawsuit builds upon these earlier allegations by seeking the records that could demonstrate how ICE organizes and oversees its practices related to the WRAP restraint. The request for policies and compliance information aims to shed light on the agency’s procedures for handling medical conditions and monitoring individuals in restraints.

ICE States WRAP Restraint is for Specific Flight Cases

In response to the lawsuit, an ICE spokesperson stated that the WRAP restraint is reserved for detainees on flights who are “combative or potentially self-harming.” The spokesperson clarified that the device is used exclusively on ICE’s own aircraft and not on commercial flights. The Trump administration has reportedly rejected the lawsuit, characterizing it as another “false allegation.” The legal action, however, continues as the ACLU seeks to obtain ICE’s records regarding the use and monitoring of this restraint.

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