ICE Agents To Wear Electric Shock Gloves: Here's How They Could Be Used

The Trump administration is reportedly planning to arm federal immigration agents with electric shock gloves, according to a Department of Homeland Security procurement notice. These gloves, called G.L.O.V.E. devices, are designed for use by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel during close-range confrontations. The cost of these devices is expected to reach up to $20 million, with delivery scheduled for March 2027.

The G.L.O.V.E. devices, manufactured by Kentucky-based Compliant Technologies LLC, are marketed as a tool for officers to gain control of resistant individuals. The gloves function as standard patrol gloves until activated by a switch located on the glove. Once activated, they can deliver an electrical stimulus to the individual's skin, which is intended to distract or interrupt muscle movement and encourage compliance.

The manufacturer claims the device typically results in compliance within seconds and leaves no lasting marks.

The G.L.O.V.E. devices are intended for use by law enforcement, corrections, security, military, and emergency medical personnel. The company advises that only two gloves should be applied at one time and for no longer than 15 seconds, unless additional force is needed to gain control. The gloves must make direct contact with the skin and are ineffective through clothing or hair.

The manufacturer cautions against using the device as punishment or in response to verbal noncompliance alone and warns against using it on certain higher-risk individuals, including children, pregnant women, the elderly, and disabled people.