ICE Plans Up to $20 Million Purchase of Electric Shock Gloves for Officers
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) submitted a notice to buy gloves that will allow officers to deliver an electric shock to certain individuals. ICE says the gloves are a “distraction and de-escalation device” that will give officers another nonlethal tool to gain compliance.
In the notice, ICE said it plans to spend $10 million to $20 million on the product known as a G.L.O.V.E or Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter.
The gloves– made by Compliant Technologies LLC of Lexington, Kentucky– have been used by some police departments and jails.
Compliant says the devices function as normal patrol gloves unless officers activate the electrical mode. When applied directly to a person's exposed skin, they deliver a “pain stimulus that typically helps an officer gain compliance within seconds.”
Compliant warns the device should not be used as punishment or on high-risk populations.
John Peters is the president of the Institute for the Prevention of In-Custody Deaths and is studying use of the gloves.
He told the AP that “If the officer is getting any type of resistance from the person, this is certainly an effective tool,” and that “For smaller officers or weaker officers or older officers, I think it has a great advantage.”
Usage Timeline
Border Czar Tom Homan says it will “be awhile” before ICE officers begin using the devices, as the agency is still developing training protocols to govern their use.
According to the contract notice, the contract is anticipated to be awarded in the fourth quarter of 2026, with the earliest deployment in March 2027.
Critics Raise Misuse Concerns
Democrats and civil liberties advocates are worried.
"This won't make anyone safer and in fact just gives ICE another dangerous tool to target citizens and immigrants alike," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) on X.
There are also worries it could be misused.
“It’s too easy for this to get misused, against a population that doesn’t pose a threat,” said former ICE acting director John Sandweg.
