DHS to spend up to $20m on electric-shock gloves for ICE agents
The Department of Homeland Security has outlined a no-bid contract to equip Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers with voltage-emitting gloves by March 2027, drawing sharp criticism from advocacy groups amid ongoing scrutiny of the agency’s tactics.
The United States Department of Homeland Security has announced plans to invest between $10 million and $20 million in electric-shock gloves for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, a move that has ignited debate over the militarisation of federal immigration enforcement. According to a notice posted on Monday, the procurement of the CT-G5 G.L.O.V.E. devices is scheduled for completion by the end of March 2027.
The gloves, which stand for Generate Low Output Voltage Emitter, are marketed by manufacturer Compliant Technologies as tools for "distraction and de-escalation." The devices deliver electrical pulses capable of inhibiting coordinated muscle movement, with a maximum output of 380 volts. While currently utilised by certain jails and police departments, their deployment across ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and Homeland Security Investigations divisions represents a significant expansion of their use within federal immigration contexts.
The announcement has triggered immediate backlash from human rights advocates, who argue the equipment will facilitate increased violence against immigrants and protesters. The National Immigration Law Center (NILC) condemned the purchase, with president Kica Mantos describing the agency as a "rogue" entity with an "$80 billion slush fund" derived from the Secure America Act passed by Congress in June. Mantos labelled the arming of agents with such devices as "disgusting and barbaric," warning it would lead to further cruelty against vulnerable communities.
Criticism of ICE’s operational conduct has intensified in recent months, with the agency facing accusations of racial profiling and excessive force. Since the beginning of this year, at least four individuals have been shot dead during encounters with ICE agents, and dozens more have died while in custody. These incidents have fuelled concerns that the new technology could exacerbate existing tensions and lead to higher rates of injury or death during enforcement actions.
Compliant Technologies has maintained that its technology is "humane" and safe, asserting that the voltage does not penetrate the body and allows other officers to physically restrain individuals without risk of electrical feedback. The company recommends avoiding use on higher-risk groups, including the elderly, children, pregnant people, and those with severe disabilities. Officers are required to complete a training course and undergo recertification every two years to utilise the gloves. The no-bid contract is expected to be published by Friday, with the Department of Homeland Security offering no immediate comment to media inquiries.
