By: Ashmar Mandou

On Wednesday morning, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez held a press conference to introduce legislation that would prohibit the use of funds for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to utilize full-body restraints. The DHS would be barred from using a full-body restraint device called the WRAP under a new bill introduced in the House on Wednesday.

The “Full-Body Restraint Prohibition Act,” sponsored by U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., would prohibit future purchases of the device and create oversight and reporting requirements.

“The WRAP fuels destruction in our communities and human suffering. This legislation is an additional step to end the pain and violence caused by DHS,” Ramirez said. Made by California-based Safe Restraints Inc., the WRAP is the subject of several federal lawsuits likening its incorrect usage 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.  

“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,” Ramirez said.

Full-body restraints, commonly referred to as the WRAP device, are body restraints being used on detained individuals. Investigations by the Associated Press and Bloomberg determined that agents use the WRAP device to punish and silence detainees. The restraint system has been linked to over twelve deaths in local law enforcement throughout the U.S. in the past decade reported by the Associated Press.

According to Congressman Ramirez, federal purchasing records show that DHS paid Safe Restraints Inc. $268,523 since it started purchasing the devices in late 2015, during the Obama administration, through June 2025. Government purchasing records show the two Trump administrations have been responsible for about 91 percent of that spending.

“The brutal, inhumane tactics of ICE continue to jeopardize people’s lives across the country,” Ramirez said. “ICE is acting outside of oversight or accountability. That can’t go on.” Congresswoman Ramirez was joined by League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), National Immigration Law Center (NILC), American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and other advocacy groups.