ICE Explores $2 Million Purchase of Robot Dogs

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is exploring the purchase of quadruped unmanned ground vehicles, commonly known as robot dogs, to assist in federal immigration enforcement. A market-research notice published by the Department of Homeland Security on August 28 indicates the agency seeks the technology for situational awareness and risk assessment in unstable, confined, or dangerous areas.

The government is considering spending at least $2 million on the robots, with Boston Dynamics expected to be awarded the contract by the end of the year, though the notice specifies there is no guarantee of a future order. This procurement is part of a broader push by the Trump administration to increase arrests and deportations.

This initiative coincides with other technology investments, including a planned $20 million expenditure to provide agents with electric-shock gloves. The move has drawn concern from civil liberties groups regarding the use of force during aggressive deportation drives. The push for new equipment follows criticism of ICE over previous use-of-force incidents, including fatal shootings of U.S. citizens in Minneapolis, Houston, and Maine.