The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is contemplating an investment of up to $2 million for the procurement of robotic dogs to bolster its immigration control operations. This initiative was revealed in a procurement notice issued by the Department of Homeland Security through its official acquisition planning system.
ICE is planning to allocate between $1 million and $2 million towards acquiring the SPOT quadruped robot, produced by Boston Dynamics.
A senior department official confirmed these intentions to NBC News, emphasizing that these robots will not be utilized for conducting arrests.
Capabilities of Robotic Dogs
What functions can these robots perform? The SPOT devices come equipped with 360-degree cameras and sensors capable of detecting vibrations, gas, and radiation. Additionally, they feature extendable arms but cannot engage in attacks like traditional police dogs.
According to the official notice, the robots are intended to "support public safety and law enforcement operations by providing a remotely operated robotic capability for inspection, situational awareness, and hazard assessment in environments that may pose risks to personnel."
The announcement also highlights that this technology "enhances agent safety, supports informed operational decision-making, and improves the Department of Homeland Security's capacity to respond to incidents in hazardous, confined, unstable, or hard-to-reach areas."
Previous Deployments of SPOT Robots
The SPOT robot is not new to the U.S. security landscape. The Secret Service employed it to patrol President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in 2024.
The New York City Police Department tested it beginning in 2020, nicknaming it "Digidog." Although they halted the contract in 2021 due to public pressure, they reinstated it in 2023 for high-risk scenarios like bomb threats and hostage situations.
Boston Dynamics maintains a clear ethical stance: "We will not authorize nor partner with those who wish to use our robots as weapons or autonomous attack systems," and they assure that they will take action if their products are used to cause harm.
Controversy Over ICE Equipment
The acquisition of robotic dogs comes amid a controversial period for ICE's equipment choices. In mid-August, the Department of Homeland Security approved spending up to $20 million on electric shock gloves for field agents, capable of delivering up to 380 volts directly to the skin.
This decision sparked backlash from civil rights organizations and a group of 16 Democratic senators, who sent a letter to acting ICE director David Venturella this Friday, urging him to cancel the contract and "invest in de-escalation tools, training, and accountability."
The White House Border Czar, Tom Homan, defended the gloves, stating: "It's another tool to help someone comply when they're not. You can't just go from 0 to 100 with lethal force as your first option."
Criticism arises amidst documented escalation: the use of force in ICE detention centers increased by 37% in 2025 compared to the previous year, with at least 780 incidents reported, affecting over 1,300 individuals.
Kica Matos, president of the National Immigration Law Center, criticized ICE as "an out-of-control agency with an $80 billion discretionary fund that allows them to invent and finance new ways to inflict cruelty on our communities."
The agency, which exceeded 10,000 detentions in just five days in July, has also invested more than $1.4 billion in technology contracts for facial recognition and social media monitoring, establishing an unprecedented surveillance apparatus under the Trump administration.
The integration of robotic technology into ICE operations is just one of many shifts reshaping U.S. immigration policy. Stay informed with all the updates in our U.S. Immigration section.
FAQs on ICE's Robotic Dogs and Equipment
What are the capabilities of the SPOT robotic dogs?
SPOT robotic dogs are equipped with 360-degree cameras and sensors that detect vibrations, gas, and radiation. They also have extendable arms but do not have the ability to attack like traditional police dogs.
Why is ICE investing in robotic dogs?
ICE is investing in robotic dogs to enhance public safety and law enforcement operations by providing a remotely operated robotic capability for inspection, situational awareness, and hazard assessment in risky environments.
What controversy surrounds ICE's equipment choices?
The controversy centers on ICE's decision to spend up to $20 million on electric shock gloves, which has drawn criticism from civil rights groups and Democratic senators who call for investment in de-escalation tools instead.