Anger brewing after ICE orders over $10M of armoured vehicles from Ontario company

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) placed a multimillion-dollar rush order for 20 Canadian-made armoured vehicles, according to federal procurements records from November. 

The agency is spending roughly USD$7.3 million (or about $10 million CAD) on a fleet of Senator Emergency Response Tactical Vehicles manufactured by Roshel, a defence manufacturer headquartered in Brampton. The vehicles are built to withstand bomb blasts and stop .50-calibre rounds. 

The procurement, which was first reported by U.K.-based newspaper The Independent, was published on a U.S. federal contracting website on Nov. 26, with the contract formally awarded two days later. ICE made the purchase through a sole-source arrangement, arguing that the Canadian company was the only supplier capable of meeting its delivery schedule and technical specifications. 

The same type of vehicles ordered by ICE have also been used by Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression.

This is outrageous. Brampton arms company Roshel was just contracted to send a rush order of armoured vehicles to ICE. There is absolutely no justification for Canada to approve such an order, but this is exactly how Canada's arms export regime works.https://t.co/zgGAffjImo

— World BEYOND War Canada (@WBWCanada) December 3, 2025

"Roshel is uniquely positioned to fulfill this requirement within the necessary timeframe, having confirmed immediate availability of vehicles that fully meet ICE's specifications," the agency's documents read. 

"While other sources were consulted, they had limited quantities available or none could fulfill the entire requirement within the required period of performance, nor meet all technical requirements."

Why is Canada providing military equipment to an authoritarian regime that is on international human rights watchlists for actions against its own citizens?

— FLSTC10🇨🇦 (@FLSTC10) December 3, 2025

ICE contacted four U.S.-based manufacturers, namely Alpine Armoring, CITE Armored, DGM LLC, and Lenco Armored Vehicles, but says none could match Roshel's capacity or timeline. Alipine reportedly could only supply 15 vehicles, CITE estimated a six-month timeline, DGM offered no schedule despite being capable of delivering 20 vehicles, and Lenco had just three used vehicles available in 30 to 60 days. On the other hand, Roshel said it was about to deliver the 20 vehicles in just 30 days. 

The acquisition covers 20 armoured tactical vehicles at a total estimated cost of US$7,331,200, with each featuring military-grade tires, escape hatches, and space for up to 12 occupants. The vehicles also have options for video surveillance, chemical protection systems, and night vision. 

Wonder if they'll be exempt from any tariffs.

— Marco Niese (@marconiese) December 3, 2025

ICE has long faced intense scrutiny for its harsh enforcement tactics and treatment of detainees, with critics accusing the agency of human rights abuses and aggressive operations. Under Trump's administration, ICE's mandate has significantly expanded to pursue the mass removal of undocumented immigrants in the country. 

shame on the Canadian firm

— BN880 🇵🇱🇨🇦🇺🇦 (@bn880) December 3, 2025

Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Big Beautiful Bill), which was signed into law in July 2025, would further expand the capabilities of the federal agency, whose annual budget sat at $10 billion. Under the bill, ICE would receive tens of billions of dollars in supplemental funding through 2029, including $45 billion for detention-capacity expansions.