U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has agreed to a $16.7 million contract to procure 6,000 pairs of gloves capable of administering painful electric shocks. The purpose is for officers to manage detainees and demonstrators who resist authority.
Despite objections from civil rights advocates and Democratic lawmakers, ICE proceeded with the purchase. The agency revealed its intention to buy numerous “conductive distraction and de-escalation devices” for officers and investigators in a recent notice.
A notice disclosed in a federal database indicated that ICE sealed a no-bid contract with Compliant Technologies LLC, a company based in Kentucky that manufactures these gloves. The agreement encompasses obtaining 6,000 devices, as well as related equipment and services, within the next six months.
Critics argue that ICE officers have been under scrutiny for their use of force without adequate oversight while enforcing President Trump’s immigration policies. Instances of fatalities during encounters with ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have been reported since last year.
Following the shooting deaths of American citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti in January, ICE has shifted its focus from high-profile deportation operations in major cities. Despite recording a surge in arrests in July, with an emphasis on targeting violent criminals, data showed that a significant portion of those detained had no prior criminal convictions or charges.
ICE’s notice was released shortly after a group of U.S. senators, spearheaded by Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto, urged the agency to cancel the glove procurement plan. In a letter to ICE’s acting director, Cortez Masto and 15 Democratic colleagues raised concerns about the necessity and potential misuse of such devices.
The gloves function as standard patrol gloves until activated by an officer to deliver an electric shock upon direct contact with the skin. They are intended to subdue individuals who resist compliance and have been utilized by some local law enforcement agencies in recent times.
According to ICE’s notice, the gloves are intended for use in high-stress situations, including arrests, detainee transport, and managing civil disturbances near detention facilities. The agency highlighted that the shocks are aimed at preventing injuries, facilitating detainee control, and aiding in crowd management.
The procurement of the gloves is part of the Trump administration’s series of no-bid contracts, a practice that has drawn criticism from Democrats. The Department of Homeland Security, ICE’s parent agency, defended the purchase, dismissing criticisms as attempts to undermine and endanger officers.
The controversial purchase aligns with a pattern of no-bid contracts issued by the Trump administration for various projects, including aircraft acquisitions and detention facility expansions. Similar contracts were also issued for the renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and Lafayette Park fountains.
