US is planning to spend up to $2 million on robot dogs for high-risk immigration operations

The US government plans to spend up to $2 million on robot dogs for use in high-risk immigration operations, NBC News reported, citing a Department of Homeland Security procurement notice.

The robots, made by Boston Dynamics, would help immigration officers inspect dangerous or difficult-to-access areas without putting themselves at immediate risk. A senior DHS official told NBC News that the machines would not be used to make arrests.

The planned purchase includes Boston Dynamics’ Spot robots and related accessories. ICE intends to use them for inspection, situational awareness and hazard assessment during law enforcement operations.


The procurement notice describes the technology as “a remotely operated robotic capability for inspection, situational awareness, and hazard assessment in environments that may pose risks to personnel.”

The robots could be sent into confined, unstable or hazardous locations before officers enter. Their cameras and sensors would allow agents to assess conditions remotely and support operational decisions.

The notice estimates the purchase will cost between $1 million and $2 million. It lists the requirement as a new procurement and identifies Fort Benning, Georgia, as the place of performance.

The planned purchase does not confirm that ICE has already acquired or deployed the robots. The procurement notice does not specify how many units the agency intends to buy or when they would be used in the field.

The plan comes as the Trump administration expands immigration enforcement operations across the US. ICE has faced criticism over its enforcement methods and use of force.

DHS is also pursuing a separate purchase of electric shock gloves for ICE officers. That proposal has drawn criticism from lawmakers and civil rights groups.

The robot dogs are intended to support inspection and safety-related tasks, according to the procurement notice. The document does not describe them as weapons or as tools for arresting migrants.