ICE electric-shock glove procurement faces pushback from lawmakers

U.S. lawmakers are calling for an immediate halt to a plan by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to procure thousands of electric-shock gloves. In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Representatives Shri Thanedar, Bennie Thompson, and Lou Correa warned that the devices could lead to injury or death if misused or if agents lack sufficient training.

The procurement, estimated to cost between $10 million and $20 million, involves Generated Low Output Voltage Emitters (G.L.O.V.E.s) manufactured by Kentucky-based Compliant Technologies. While the Department of Homeland Security describes them as “conductive distraction and de-escalation devices” intended to provide a non-lethal alternative to higher levels of force, the lawmakers expressed concern over ICE’s history of violence and potential training deficiencies.

While the federal procurement is being contested, similar technology is already in use by local departments. For example, the Omaha Police Department has utilized the gloves for school resource officers to manage noncompliance, with officials stating the goal is to de-escalate situations through pain compliance.