Boston Dynamics employees urge the company to cancel its ICE robot-dog sale; the company stands by the deal
A letter from Boston Dynamics employees, with about 300 signatures, urged the company to cancel a $1.3 million sale of Spot robots to ICE. Interim chief executive Amanda McMaster said the company stands by the sale, citing terms that bar weaponization.
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Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
The robots are supplied through Radeco, a Connecticut company that adds a kit with sensors for chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive hazards. Boston.com reported that the contract, publicly listed on September 28, says ICE will use the robots to search tunnels at border crossings. A Boston Dynamics spokesperson said the buyer is Homeland Security Investigations, which handles transnational crime, and not ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations.
The employees' letter says the sale hurts the company's image and "presents us as working directly with ICE." It says the risk to the company is "simply too great to continue with this deal" and warns that staff could leave. A company spokesperson confirmed the letter but said nearly half of its roughly 300 signatures were anonymous, and told the Globe the signers are a minority of the company's workforce.
In her email to staff, McMaster said customers must follow terms that prohibit attempts to weaponize the robot or use it for harm or intimidation, and asked employees to accept the decision even if they disagree. ICE has said the robots give officers a way to assess dangerous situations before sending in personnel and do not replace human judgment.
Outside the company, members of the De-Ice Action Network have protested at Boston Dynamics' Waltham headquarters. In September, former Waltham City Councilor Jonathan Paz warned that technology given to law enforcement has been abused against the public before.
Read the full background
Boston Dynamics sells Spot to police departments, fire services and other public agencies, which use it after disasters, in search and rescue and to inspect suspicious packages, according to the company. Its ethical principles say it will not partner with those who wish to use its robots as weapons.
In late August 2026, WBUR reported a DHS funding document showing that ICE planned to spend up to $2 million on the robots, and the $1.3 million contract was finalized in September. The sale comes as several Massachusetts cities have moved to restrict ICE operations, and Gov. Maura Healey has signed a law meant to protect people from warrantless arrests.
Timeline
5 timeline entries on this page. Dates: August 31, 2026 to October 23, 2026
August 2026
WBUR reports that ICE plans to buy Spot robots
Source release
WBUR reports a DHS funding document showing that ICE plans to spend up to $2 million on Boston Dynamics' Spot robots for inspection, situational awareness and hazard assessment.
[01]ICE plans to buy robot dogs made in Mass.
WBUR report on a DHS funding document showing that ICE planned to spend up to $2 million on Boston Dynamics robots. It quotes statements from an ICE spokesperson and from the company.
September 2026
ICE's $1.3 million contract for four Spot robots is publicly listed
A contract for four Spot robots, fitted with hazard-detection kits, is publicly listed. Boston.com reports that the contract says ICE will use them to search tunnels at border crossings, and Boston Dynamics says the robots will go to Homeland Security Investigations.
[02]ICE settles contract to buy Boston Dynamics robots for $1.3 million
Boston.com report on ICE's finalized $1.3 million contract for four Spot robots, which the contract says will search tunnels at border crossings. It quotes the contract and a Boston Dynamics statement.
October 2026
Demonstrators protest outside Boston Dynamics in Waltham
Reaction
Demonstrators protest outside the entrance to Boston Dynamics in Waltham against the company's sale of four robot dogs to ICE, according to The Boston Globe.
[03]The Boston Globe
Boston Globe report on the employees' letter opposing the sale of four Spot robots to ICE through the Connecticut company Radeco. It quotes the letter, a company statement, a DHS spokesperson, Amanda McMaster's email to staff, and protesters from the De-Ice Action Network.
Boston Dynamics workers oppose the company's robot dog use by ICE · The Boston GlobeWBUR and the Globe report the employees' letter against the sale
Source release
WBUR and The Boston Globe report a letter, sent to company leadership in September, in which employees urge Boston Dynamics to cancel the ICE sale. The company confirms the letter and says nearly half of its roughly 300 signatures were anonymous.
[04]ICE wants robot dogs. Boston Dynamics' workers urge company to 'cancel the sale'
WBUR report on a petition, sent to Boston Dynamics leadership in early September and obtained by WBUR, in which employees urge the company to cancel its sale of Spot robots to ICE. It quotes the petition, a company spokesperson and interim chief executive Amanda McMaster's letter to employees.
[03]The Boston Globe
Boston Globe report on the employees' letter opposing the sale of four Spot robots to ICE through the Connecticut company Radeco. It quotes the letter, a company statement, a DHS spokesperson, Amanda McMaster's email to staff, and protesters from the De-Ice Action Network.
Boston Dynamics workers oppose the company's robot dog use by ICE · The Boston GlobeBoston Dynamics says it will stand by the sale
Reaction
Interim chief executive Amanda McMaster tells employees the company is standing behind the decision and asks them to accept it even if they do not agree with it.
[04]ICE wants robot dogs. Boston Dynamics' workers urge company to 'cancel the sale'
WBUR report on a petition, sent to Boston Dynamics leadership in early September and obtained by WBUR, in which employees urge the company to cancel its sale of Spot robots to ICE. It quotes the petition, a company spokesperson and interim chief executive Amanda McMaster's letter to employees.
[03]The Boston Globe
Boston Globe report on the employees' letter opposing the sale of four Spot robots to ICE through the Connecticut company Radeco. It quotes the letter, a company statement, a DHS spokesperson, Amanda McMaster's email to staff, and protesters from the De-Ice Action Network.
Boston Dynamics workers oppose the company's robot dog use by ICE · The Boston Globe
Response record
Responses
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
4 responses. Newest first.
Boston DynamicsAmanda McMaster, interim chief executive of Boston Dynamics at the time, in an email to employees reported by The Boston GlobeDirectly involved Before this statement
The Boston Globe reported on October 23 that McMaster, whom it describes as the company's former interim chief executive, answered the workers' petition in an email, saying she is standing behind the decision to move forward with this and other potential sales to government customers. She cited the company's anti-weaponization guidelines.
"We believe this decision is in line with our purpose of ethically advancing intelligent machines in service of humanity"
Defended or excusedCase context: Boston Dynamics employees urge the company to cancel its ICE robot-dog sale; the company stands by the deal
Full statement and sources
Responding to the employees' letter, Amanda McMaster, then the company's interim chief executive, says the company is standing behind the sale and that the decision is in line with its purpose of ethically advancing intelligent machines in service of humanity.
After the statement
She asked workers to accept the decision even if they do not agree with it. WBUR reported that her letter says customers must comply with terms that prohibit any attempts to weaponize the robot or use it for harm or intimidation.
Boston Dynamics workers oppose the company's robot dog use by ICE · The Boston GlobeWhy this label?
Relative to Boston Dynamics' sale of Spot robots to ICE, McMaster defends the decision to go ahead with the sale despite the employees' objections.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Boston DynamicsCompany statement reported by Boston.comDirectly involved Before this statement
Boston.com reported on September 30 that ICE had finalized a $1.3 million contract for four Spot robots. A Boston Dynamics spokesperson told the outlet the robots are for ICE's investigations of transnational crimes through Homeland Security Investigations, not its Enforcement and Removal Operations. Just before this passage, the company's statement says DHS has used Spot robots for several years to help keep people safe.
"Regardless of any political implications or personal feelings about the organizations involved, if our robot can help keep people safe, we believe it should."
Defended or excusedCase context: Boston Dynamics employees urge the company to cancel its ICE robot-dog sale; the company stands by the deal
Full statement and sources
Responding to the finalized ICE contract, Boston Dynamics says that, regardless of political implications or personal feelings about the organizations involved, its robot should be used if it can help keep people safe.
After the statement
The report adds that the robots are being fitted with a kit, made by the Connecticut company RADeCO, that detects chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive hazards.
Why this label?
Relative to Boston Dynamics' sale of Spot robots to ICE, the company defends the sale on the ground that the robot helps keep people safe.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Jonathan PazFormer Waltham city councilor and pro-immigrant activist, speaking to NBC10 Boston Before this statement
NBC10 Boston reported on September 17 on reaction to ICE's planned purchase of Spot robots. The report says Paz raised concerns about what could happen if a robot malfunctioned, was hacked or was misused by the people controlling it.
"Whether it's cameras, it's vehicles, it's AI, and all this software data collection software, all of it has been abused and used against the public, so we should not expect anything different"
CondemnedCase context: Boston Dynamics employees urge the company to cancel its ICE robot-dog sale; the company stands by the deal
Full statement and sources
Former Waltham City Councilor Jonathan Paz, raising concerns about ICE's planned use of the robots, says cameras, vehicles, AI and data collection software have all been abused and used against the public, and that people should not expect anything different.
After the statement
The report then quotes law enforcement and security expert Todd McGhee, who said agencies using the technology should set clear limits and safeguards.
Why this label?
Relative to Boston Dynamics' sale of Spot robots to ICE, Paz criticizes putting the robots in ICE's hands, predicting they will be misused as other surveillance technology has been.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
U.S. Immigration and Customs EnforcementICE spokesperson, in a statement to WBURDirectly involvedBefore this statement
WBUR's August 31 report says a DHS funding document showed ICE planned to spend up to $2 million on Boston Dynamics robots. The report says ICE described the robot as an additional safety tool that does not replace officers or human judgment.
"Like with our other law enforcement partners around the country, this robot platform provides law enforcement officers with an additional tool to safely assess potentially dangerous situations before placing personnel or the public at risk"
Defended or excusedCase context: Boston Dynamics employees urge the company to cancel its ICE robot-dog sale; the company stands by the deal
Full statement and sources
An ICE spokesperson says that, as with other law enforcement agencies, the robot platform gives officers an additional tool to safely assess potentially dangerous situations before placing personnel or the public at risk.
After the statement
The spokesperson added that the robot can provide real-time situational awareness in hazardous, confined or tactically uncertain environments, so officers can make more informed decisions and, when possible, resolve incidents without immediately sending personnel into a dangerous area.
Why this label?
Relative to Boston Dynamics' sale of Spot robots to ICE, the agency defends its planned use of the robots as a safety tool for officers and the public.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(5)
Reporting
ICE wants robot dogs. Boston Dynamics' workers urge company to 'cancel the sale'
About this source
WBUR report on a petition, sent to Boston Dynamics leadership in early September and obtained by WBUR, in which employees urge the company to cancel its sale of Spot robots to ICE. It quotes the petition, a company spokesperson and interim chief executive Amanda McMaster's letter to employees.
- Author
- Zeninjor Enwemeka and Simón Rios
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
ICE settles contract to buy Boston Dynamics robots for $1.3 million
About this source
Boston.com report on ICE's finalized $1.3 million contract for four Spot robots, which the contract says will search tunnels at border crossings. It quotes the contract and a Boston Dynamics statement.
- Author
- Madison Lucchesi
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Reaction to ICE's planned purchase of Boston Dynamics robot dogs
About this source
NBC10 Boston report on reaction to ICE's planned purchase of Spot robots. It quotes an ICE spokesperson, a Boston Dynamics spokesperson, protesters outside ICE's Burlington office, former Waltham City Councilor Jonathan Paz and a law enforcement expert.
- Author
- Oscar Margain
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
ICE plans to buy robot dogs made in Mass.
About this source
WBUR report on a DHS funding document showing that ICE planned to spend up to $2 million on Boston Dynamics robots. It quotes statements from an ICE spokesperson and from the company.
- Author
- Zeninjor Enwemeka
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Boston Dynamics workers oppose the company's robot dog use by ICE
About this source
Boston Globe report on the employees' letter opposing the sale of four Spot robots to ICE through the Connecticut company Radeco. It quotes the letter, a company statement, a DHS spokesperson, Amanda McMaster's email to staff, and protesters from the De-Ice Action Network.
- Author
- Yogev Toby
- Published
- Accessed
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- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Boston Dynamics employees urge the company to cancel its ICE robot-dog sale; the company stands by the deal
- First published
- Last updated
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The Dispute Index. "Boston Dynamics employees urge the company to cancel its ICE robot-dog sale; the company stands by the deal". First published: 2026-10-30. Last updated: 2026-10-30. https://disputeindex.com/cases/boston-dynamics-ice-spot-robot-sale