Letter signed by Democratic senators calls on ICE to halt electric shock gloves

A coalition of Democratic senators, spearheaded by Catherine Cortez Masto from Nevada, has implored Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to abandon its intent to arm law enforcement personnel with electric shock gloves. In a letter dispatched to ICE’s acting director on Thursday, Cortez Masto and 15 fellow Democrats questioned the necessity and potential misuse of these devices, which could cost up to $20 million.

The senators also expressed serious doubts about ICE’s ability to effectively and safely employ the gloves, citing numerous instances of excessive force in various U.S. cities.

The letter, co-signed by Independent Senator Angus King of Maine and 14 other Democratic senators, highlights the grave concerns over the potential for misuse. These gloves, which transform standard patrol gloves into devices capable of delivering electric shocks by pressing a button, are designed to induce pain and subdue individuals resisting arrest.

However, the senators argue that such devices pose significant risks, particularly when deployed during civil arrests, especially without stringent limits, proper training, and thorough oversight.

Cortez Masto and her colleagues emphasized that if ICE proceeds with the procurement, the agency must be transparent about training protocols for officers and the mechanisms for documenting and reviewing the use of the gloves to prevent any unlawful use.