ICE agents to get electric shock gloves to remove 'illegal aliens' from US

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced plans to purchase up to $20 million worth of electric shock gloves for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. The move, outlined in a notice published Monday, has sparked immediate backlash from civil rights organizations and elected officials concerned about the potential for abuse of such devices during immigration enforcement operations. According to the notice, ICE intends to acquire the Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter, known as GLOVE, for use by Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement Removal Operations personnel. These gloves are capable of delivering up to 380 volts of electricity and are described by the government as a "Conductive Distraction and De-escalation Device." They appear similar to standard duty gloves until activated via a button press, which triggers the electrical current. The device is meant to be used directly on a person’s skin to induce discomfort and secure compliance from individuals resisting arrest. The announcement comes amid growing concerns over the safety and ethical implications of equipping immigration agents with non-lethal force tools. Critics argue that the gloves could be misused, particularly given past incidents involving similar technologies. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) expressed alarm, stating that providing immigration officers with a covert method to inflict severe pain increases the likelihood of public harm and reduces accountability. New York Attorney General Letitia James called the proposal “outrageous” and warned that misuse of the gloves within her state could lead to both criminal and civil repercussions. While the Department of Homeland Security has not explicitly stated why ICE chose these particular gloves, it emphasized that all decisions regarding equipment are made with due diligence and adherence to existing law enforcement protocols. A pending lawsuit adds further weight to the controversy surrounding the gloves. It alleges that a 43-year-old man died in a jail in Richmond, Kentucky, in 2024 following repeated shocks administered by the device. Court documents reveal that the individual received 27 shocks from the gloves and 13 additional shocks from a Taser. An internal investigation into the incident noted that some shocks exceeded the manufacturer's recommended duration of 15 seconds, lasting instead for 45 and 99 seconds. This excessive use reportedly increased the risk of serious health complications. Former ICE acting director John Sandweg voiced concerns about the potential for misuse, cautioning that the gloves could be deployed against individuals posing no threat. He highlighted the ease with which such devices might be abused, especially in situations where the subject does not present an immediate danger. The manufacturer of the gloves issued specific warnings regarding appropriate usage. Their guidelines prohibit the use of the device on vulnerable populations including the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and those with severe disabilities. Additionally, the manual explicitly forbids employing the gloves for purposes such as punishment, torture, or recreational activities. Despite these restrictions, ICE maintains that its officers undergo regular de-escalation and use-of-force training to ensure proper application of the technology. The proposed acquisition, which could be finalized as soon as Friday, would cover a period extending through March 31, 2027, according to the DHS notice. As the debate continues, stakeholders remain divided on whether the deployment of these gloves aligns with principles of humane treatment and effective law enforcement practices.