US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is exploring the purchase of robotic dogs as the agency expands its use of technology in immigration enforcement.
The agency is considering acquiring four-legged robots for surveillance and to inspect potentially dangerous or hard-to-reach areas, according to procurement documents. The move would add robotic systems to a growing range of technology being considered for field operations.
The potential purchase comes as ICE increases spending on new equipment and surveillance tools amid the Trump administration’s broader immigration enforcement drive. The agency has also pursued other technologies designed to support officers during arrests and operations.
Bloomberg reported that ICE is examining robot dogs costing up to about US$100,000 each, highlighting the increasing role of commercially available robotics in US law enforcement.
The use of robotic dogs by police and other agencies has raised questions about surveillance, privacy and the extent to which automated systems should be deployed in enforcement operations. Any ICE purchase would add to those concerns as the agency expands its technology capabilities.
