ICE plans to acquire electric shock gloves for immigration enforcement

ICE G.L.O.V.E. gloves immigration enforcement non-lethal weapons border security

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is planning to equip its agents with G.L.O.V.E. (Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter) gloves, manufactured by Kentucky-based Compliant Technologies. The agency intends to spend up to $20 million on these devices, which deliver a low-voltage electrical discharge upon direct skin contact to induce pain compliance and inhibit muscle mobility. Border czar Thomas Homan defended the acquisition as a non-lethal intermediary step to prevent agents from having to resort immediately to lethal force during encounters.

The plan has drawn sharp criticism from civil rights organizations and Democratic lawmakers, who express concerns regarding potential abuses, lack of accountability, and the risk to individuals with health conditions. Critics argue the devices could be used discreetly to cause harm without clear evidence of excessive force.

Separately, ICE enforcement activities have seen a reported increase at U.S. airports, where agents are targeting individuals without valid legal status. This has led to friction with airlines; for instance, Southwest Airlines recently blocked agents from accessing a flight after they failed to present a signed judicial warrant. Additionally, a report from the Ohio Immigrant Alliance has identified 59 ICE and Border Patrol agents with histories of sexual and violent crimes, raising further concerns about agency oversight.

Entities

American Civil Liberties Union · Compliant Technologies · Department of Homeland Security · Ohio Immigrant Alliance · Southwest Airlines · Thomas Homan · U.S. Border Patrol · U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 8 SOURCES] The G.L.O.V.E. devices generate a low-output voltage electrical discharge upon direct contact with skin to inhibit muscle mobility. www.eldiariodehoy.com · massinformacion.com.mx · udgtv.com · wltreport.com · zap.aeiou.pt · +3 more
[● 3 SOURCES] ICE is conducting increased enforcement and arrests at U.S. airports, targeting individuals without valid legal status. gestion.pe · www.directoriocubano.info · www.westword.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Southwest Airlines blocked ICE agents from accessing a flight because they failed to present a signed judicial warrant. www.directoriocubano.info
[● 2 SOURCES] Border czar Thomas Homan defended the gloves as a tool to prevent agents from immediately resorting to lethal force. massinformacion.com.mx · wltreport.com
[● 7 SOURCES] ICE plans to spend up to $20 million to purchase thousands of G.L.O.V.E. gloves manufactured by Compliant Technologies. www.eldiariodehoy.com · massinformacion.com.mx · udgtv.com · zap.aeiou.pt · www.news20.ro · +2 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] A report identified 59 ICE and Border Patrol agents with histories of sexual and violent crimes. eldiariony.com