ICE plans to buy electric shock gloves for 'de-escalation'

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency is planning to acquire electric shock gloves, which it describes as "de-escalation devices." The Department of Homeland Security has allocated between $10 million and $20 million for the purchase, with completion expected by the end of March 2027.

A spokesperson for the Homeland Security Department stated that the acquisition aims to ensure ICE officers "have the necessary means and equipment to safely apprehend and deport criminal, illegally entered aliens from our country." The gloves, known by the acronym G.L.O.V.E. ("Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter"), are activated by a button and deliver electric shocks upon contact with individuals, according to the manufacturer. The announcement did not specify the exact conditions under which they would be used.

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We are still reviewing the tender, but it appears arbitrary - and factually unjustified. It appears to violate a number of laws, and also our constitution.

This plan has drawn criticism from New York Governor Kathy Hochul and State Attorney General Letitia James, both Democrats. James expressed concerns that the tender appears arbitrary and factually unjustified, potentially violating several laws and the Constitution. Hochul commented that, at first glance, it seems to infringe upon civil rights to inflict such physical harm on an individual, regardless of their offense.

This initiative follows ICE's announcement in mid-July of plans to purchase body cameras, also with a budget of $10 million to $20 million. While the cameras are intended to document officers' actions during operations, critics have questioned whether the Department of Homeland Security would actually release footage in sensitive cases involving federal officers.

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On first glance, it appears to be a violation of civil rights to inflict such physical harm on a person – regardless of what the offense may be.