US Immigration Agency Contracts $16.4 Million for Controversial Stun Gloves

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has contracted for 6,000 pairs of electric stun gloves in a deal worth $16.4 million, a move that has ignited concerns among civil rights organizations and politicians. The gloves are designed to deliver painful electric shocks, raising fears about their potential for misuse.

Tom Homan, the U.S. border chief, has defended the acquisition, characterizing the stun gloves as a necessary tool for ICE officers to end confrontations without resorting to lethal force. However, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) argues that equipping ICE officers with such a device will further harm the public and diminish accountability.

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a tool that will help ICE officers stop confrontations without lethal force.

Critics, including Democrats in Congress and various experts, echo the ACLU's concerns. They argue that ICE officers have demonstrated a tendency to use excessive force, particularly in the context of President Donald Trump's immigration policies. The agency has been at the forefront of Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration, leading to thousands of arrests since he took office.

These concerns are amplified by past incidents involving ICE. Over 50 individuals have died in ICE custody since early 2025. Recent events, such as the January deaths of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis, one by ICE and another by Border Patrol, have sparked nationwide protests. Critics contend that ICE's actions create fear in communities and infringe upon individuals' rights, while Trump maintains his strict immigration policies are essential for national security.

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will further harm the public and remove more accountability from ICE if immigration authority officers are equipped with 'a hidden means of inflicting terrible pain'.