ICE buys less-lethal electric shock gloves to aid agents in arrests

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is moving forward with plans to spend roughly $20 million on electric shock gloves. ICE agents will be given the devices to use as a new tool to enforce cooperation with aggressive subjects, according to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) contracting notice obtained by the AP.

The gloves, known as the CTG 5 G.L.O.V.E (Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter), are scheduled to be delivered to ICE offices across the nation by March 31, 2027, according to the no-bid contract.

When the gloves touch skin directly, they deliver a maximum of about 380 volts. This is meant to stop coordinated muscle movement and distract the subject. The shock is not meant to go through clothing and will last for roughly 15 seconds at a time. The gloves are intended to be used in addition to other non-lethal weapons to get targets to obey and control themselves in situations that endanger officers or the public.

The new tools come amid increased immigration enforcement activities and documented threats against ICE agents. President Trump's Border Czar, Tom Homan, defended the acquisition during a Fox News interview.

"It's another device to help someone be compliant when they're not. You just can't go from 0 to 100...You've seen the videos on the streets where officers are being overwhelmed...It's just another tool in the toolbelt of ICE officers who are under a 9000 percent increase in deaths," said Homan.

Homan further explained that the rollout will be slow because officers will need to undergo training.

Similar gloves have been in use in jails, police departments, and other agencies. On the other side, anti-ICE critics described the tools as "disgusting and barbaric," as reported by CNN.