Immigration policy: US authority ICE plans to buy electric shock gloves
The gloves are supposed to help US Immigration and Customs Enforcement employees in their operations. This has already been criticized.
The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) is planning to purchase electroshock gloves, which are intended as "de-escalation devices" according to a statement from the Homeland Security Department. The acquisition is estimated to cost between $10 and $20 million (approximately €8.7 to €17.3 million) and should be completed by the end of March 2027.
The spokesperson for the Homeland Security Department stated that the purchase aims to ensure that enforcement personnel have the necessary resources and equipment to secure and deport criminal, illegally residing foreigners. ICE's use of these gloves has faced criticism in the past, and the specific conditions under which the gloves will be used remain unclear.
Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul and the federal Attorney General Letitia James have expressed concerns about the procurement process, questioning whether it is arbitrary, not justified, and possibly violates laws and the constitution. Hochul also raised concerns about potential violations of citizens' rights, arguing that inflicting physical harm on a person, regardless of the nature of the offense, is inherently problematic.
In July, ICE generated controversy by announcing plans to buy body-worn cameras, for which a budget of $10 to $20 million was also allocated. Critics questioned whether the Department of Homeland Security would publish video evidence in high-profile cases.
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