Key facts
- ICE plans to spend between $10 million and $20 million on electric shock gloves.
- The gloves, known as G.L.O.V.E., can deliver up to 380 volts to gain compliance.
- The Department of Homeland Security published a notice for a no-bid contract for the devices.
- Critics, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, have condemned the plan as cruel and unnecessary.
- A lawsuit alleges a man died after being shocked multiple times with the gloves and a Taser.
- The manufacturer's manual includes warnings against using the gloves on vulnerable populations or for punishment.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is planning to purchase electric shock gloves for its officers, a move that has sparked significant criticism from elected officials and civil rights advocates. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a notice for a no-bid contract, indicating a potential spending of $10 million to $20 million on these devices, known as G.L.O.V.E. (Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter).
The gloves are designed to deliver a painful electric shock, up to 380 volts, when pressed against a person's skin, intended to gain compliance from individuals resisting arrest. Unlike Tasers, they reportedly do not leave burn marks. The scale of the planned purchase suggests widespread distribution among ICE officers.
Critics, including New York Attorney General Letitia James and several Democratic members of Congress, have denounced the plan as cruel, unnecessary, and a potential tool for excessive force. Concerns have been amplified by a pending lawsuit alleging that a man died in 2024 after being subjected to numerous shocks from these gloves and a Taser, with internal investigations noting prolonged shock durations exceeding manufacturer recommendations.
The manufacturer's own manual includes warnings against using the devices on vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and pregnant women, and explicitly states they should not be used for punishment or torture. Former ICE officials and law professors have also voiced concerns about the potential for misuse and the risk of officers employing this tool over lesser force options.
The DHS, in a statement, emphasized that ICE continuously assesses officer needs to ensure they have appropriate equipment for arrests and removals, and that any technology utilized is reviewed for compliance with law enforcement policies and standards. The contract solicitation for the gloves is expected to be released soon, with the contract lasting through March 2027.