ICE accused of using ‘burrito’ restraint on immigrants as punishment

ICE accused of using ‘burrito’ restraint on immigrants as punishment Informally called "the burrito" or "the bag," the WRAP is repeatedly used on immigrants during long deportation flights - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in A civil rights organization has filed a lawsuit against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Los Angeles today, seeking the release of official agency records concerning the deployment of the WRAP, a full-body restraint system used on detainees in immigration custody and during transport and removal operations. Informally called "the burrito" or "the bag," the WRAP is repeatedly used on immigrants during long deportation flights and for extended periods, according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California. "Individuals subjected to the device have reported difficulty breathing, chest pressure, loss of sensation and serious injuries, while medical and use-of-force experts have warned that prolonged or improper use of full-body restraints can create significant risks of positional asphyxia, circulatory distress and death," states the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles federal court. The ACLU asserts that accounts indicate ICE staff have employed the WRAP as a form of punishment for undocumented people who spoke out against their deportation or tried to contact legal counsel. Such reports "are particularly troubling given longstanding questions about the policies and safeguards" regulating ICE's deployment of the equipment, according to the court complaint. A message seeking comment sent to ICE was not immediately answered after standard business hours. In November 2024, as part of its annual report to Congress, the Department of Homeland Security's civil rights oversight office opened a complaint alleging ICE "inappropriately" used the WRAP and failed to operate the equipment in accordance with manufacturer guidelines, "which caused breathing difficulty and pain, failed to consider medical and psychological conditions prior to use and lacked sufficient monitoring," according to the 21-page legal filing. The ACLU also maintains that the current ICE Air Operations Handbook "provides little substantive guidance concerning when, how or under what safeguards the device may be deployed." The lawsuit, brought under the Freedom of Information Act, seeks agency records to clarify the scope and manner of ICE's use of the WRAP, the operational standards governing its deployment, and official oversight regarding safety and legal compliance. "The requested records are necessary to evaluate whether ICE's practices comport with constitutional requirements, medically accepted standards and the agency's own policies and obligations," the ACLU stated. When deployed during deportation operations, detainees were immobilized for long stretches in poses creating heightened risks of breathing difficulties and circulatory complications, the lawsuit alleges, noting medical experts have warned that extended restraint in seated or forward-leaning positions increases asphyxiation risks, particularly for individuals with heart or lung conditions. "Individuals described an inability to breathe, chest pressure and loss of sensation while restrained," the suit says. The lawsuit notes an October 2025 report in which the Associated Press identified 12 fatal incidents over the past decade "where local police or jailers around the U.S. used the WRAP and autopsies determined `restraint' played a role in the death." Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments