US ICE agency to spend $16.7m on electric shock gloves

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency will spend $16.7 million on 6,000 pairs of electric shock gloves. The agency has entered into a six-month contract with Compliant Technologies for these "de-escalation devices." ICE states the gloves will be used in high-tension environments to control detainees and protesters who are resisting, aiming to prevent injuries and serve as an alternative to more severe force. This decision comes despite opposition from civil rights advocates and lawmakers concerned about the responsible use of such technology. The gloves are intended for use during arrests, transporting combative detainees, managing civil disturbances, and forcing individuals to expose hands for handcuffing.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has awarded a $16.7 million contract for 6,000 pairs of electric shock gloves. ICE states these gloves will be used by officers to control detainees and protesters who resist. The agency proceeded with this purchase despite opposition from civil rights advocates and Democratic members of Congress, who expressed concerns about the appropriate use of such devices by ICE officers. The contract was entered into on a no-bid basis with Compliant Technologies LLC, a Kentucky-based manufacturer. The deal includes the gloves, support equipment, and services over the next six months.

A group of 16 Democratic senators, led by Catherine Cortez Masto, has urged Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to cancel its plan to purchase electric shock gloves. The senators expressed concerns about the $20 million expenditure and ICE's ability to use the devices appropriately, citing past instances of excessive force. The gloves, described as "conductive distraction and de-escalation devices," deliver a painful shock when applied to skin to gain compliance from resisting individuals. The senators argue the devices pose significant risks during civil arrests without clear limits, training, and oversight. They are calling for public disclosure of training and review processes if ICE proceeds with the plan.