"The senators' letter cites an AP investigation this month that revealed several examples of ICE using the device on people - sometimes for hours - on deportation flights dating to 2020. Van Hollen was joined by U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Cory Booker of New Jersey, Alex Padilla of California, Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, and six others. The WRAP is the subject of several federal lawsuits likening incorrect usage of the device to punishment and even torture."
"Advocates have expressed concern that ICE is not tracking the WRAP's use as required by federal law when officers use force, making it difficult to discern exactly how many people are being subjected to the restraints. "When an organization like DHS doesn't want transparency, it's because they don't want people to know what they're doing," Van Hollen said, referring to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, ICE's parent agency."
Near-total secrecy surrounds deportation flights and the use of full-body WRAP restraints, prompting concern from Democratic lawmakers. Eleven senators requested a full accounting of ICE air operations and asked that the agency stop using WRAP until policies and questions about detainee use are resolved. An AP investigation documented multiple WRAP uses on deportation flights since 2020, sometimes for hours. The WRAP faces federal lawsuits alleging misuse amounts to punishment or torture. Advocates say ICE is failing to track WRAP use as required by law, complicating oversight. Rep. Delia Ramirez is working on legislation to curb WRAP use.
Read at ABC7 Los Angeles
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