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ICE seeks shock gloves
The Department of Homeland Security is moving toward purchasing electric shock gloves for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, with DHS documents describing the devices as a "Conductive Distraction and De-escalation Device."
“ICE plans to spend up to $20 million to purchase thousands of “conductive distraction and de-escalation devices"”
ICE plans to spend up to $20 million to buy thousands of the G.L.O.V.E. gloves, which are manufactured by Compliant Technologies LLC of Lexington, Kentucky.
The gloves function as a normal pair of patrol gloves until officers press a switch to activate their electrical mode, and the manufacturer says they must be applied directly to someone’s skin to deliver a pain stimulus that helps an officer gain compliance within seconds.
The Associated Press reported that the solicitation for a no-bid contract could be published as early as Friday, and DHS said Tuesday it was working on a response to an Associated Press inquiry and offered no immediate comment.
Civil rights advocates said they were alarmed by the plan, arguing ICE officers already face criticism for their use of force with little oversight or accountability while enforcing President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.
Hochul and James push back
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James criticized the federal plan to equip ICE agents with shock-emitting devices, warning that recently enacted state protections could expose ICE officers to legal consequences if the devices are used in New York.
Hochul said, "You cannot trample on someone’s constitutional rights, and you cannot cause them undo harm. You will be held accountable," and she added, "[The protections] should be in effect here."
James said her office is reviewing the federal proposal and examining whether use of the technology would violate New York law, and she warned, "The proposal "appears to be in violation of a number of laws," James said, including the State Administrative Procedure Act."
ABC7 New York reported Hochul questioned the use of the devices at a news conference, saying, "On its face, it seems like a violation of civil rights to cause that kind of physical harm to an individual, regardless of what the offense may be," while James said her office was reviewing the RFP.
In the same ABC7 New York coverage, Hochul announced $7.25 million for legal services for roughly 1,400 unaccompanied minors across the state of New York as the state officials challenged ICE enforcement policies.
Training, oversight, and risks
Supporters and critics framed the gloves differently, with the manufacturer describing them as a compliance tool while civil liberties groups warned they could increase harm and reduce accountability.
“"Introducing gloves that can so easily be used to deliver terrible pain in encounters is a recipe for harm to the public."”
The American Civil Liberties Union’s Jenn Rolnick Borchetta said the public should have no confidence that ICE officers will use the devices appropriately, warning, "Introducing gloves that can so easily be used to deliver terrible pain in encounters is a recipe for harm to the public."
The AP reported that to use the device, officers must complete a course and be recertified every two years, and Compliant Technologies says the gloves are intended to be non-lethal and noninjurious.
NewsNation reported that the manufacturer warns the device should not be used as punishment, against people merely exhibiting “verbal defiance or belligerence” or on high-risk populations such as children, pregnant women or elderly or disabled people.
In New York, the state’s legal challenge is tied to the broader question of oversight, as Fox News Digital reported that James said she would pursue legal action against DHS if a person in New York were injured by the devices.
