The Department of Homeland Security is aiming to secure funding of up to $20 million for the procurement of electric shock gloves for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers operating in the field. This initiative was revealed through official documentation submitted by DHS earlier this week.
On Monday, DHS filed the necessary paperwork to progress with the acquisition of the gloves. The department is specifically seeking funds for G.L.O.V.E. (Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter) devices, which are characterized in the documents as a “Conductive Distraction and De-escalation Device.”
According to information shared on the company’s social media platforms, the gloves administer an electric shock akin to that of a Taser. Sources familiar with the matter disclosed to ABC News that these gloves are intended to enhance the tools available to immigration officers for executing immigration-related arrests.
In response to inquiries about the gloves, a DHS spokesperson informed ABC News that ICE continually evaluates the requirements of its field officers to ensure they possess the necessary tools and gear for the secure arrest and removal of criminal illegal immigrants. The spokesperson emphasized that all decisions are meticulously considered and subject to appropriate reviews to ensure compliance with relevant law enforcement policies and standards.
A spokesperson affirmed that ICE officers undergo extensive training in de-escalation techniques and regularly receive ongoing instruction on the use of force.
Conversely, the ACLU expressed concerns in a statement, cautioning that equipping immigration agents with covert tools capable of inflicting severe pain could lead to increased harm to the public and reduced accountability.
The manufacturer of the gloves, Compliant Technologies, declined to provide comments on the DHS procurement at this time. The company’s online manual specifies that the gloves can be activated with the push of a button and require direct contact with the subject’s skin to function effectively, noting that the device’s efficacy is diminished when used through clothing or hair, and may be less effective on individuals and animals with dense hair.
This move comes as ICE plans to distribute body-worn cameras to all agents by the end of August. ICE’s acting director, David Venturella, emphasized the agency’s dedication to transparency and accountability in a statement issued over the weekend. The agency faced scrutiny following two recent fatal shootings involving agents who were not equipped with body-worn cameras, despite significant funding received under the One Big Beautiful Bill.
ICE is poised to become the first federal agency to adopt this relatively novel technology, as the gloves have previously been utilized by certain correctional facilities and police departments.
