ICE Purchases Robot That Opens Doors and Deploys Smoke

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement purchased a specialized robot from Icor Technology for $78,000. The device is designed for use during house raids and is capable of climbing stairs, opening doors, and deploying smoke bombs.

This acquisition is part of a larger increase in tactical spending by the agency. Recent procurements include AI-powered facial recognition, drones, and armor, with additional robotic devices sourced from Axon and Recon Robotics. Much of this equipment, specifically small unmanned aircraft systems, was acquired through the intermediary supplier Atlantic Diving Supply.

Surveillance advocates have criticized the spending. They characterized the technology as "Orwellian gadgets" and argued that the agency is wasting money on tools that increase risks to immigrant populations.