ICE Faces Criticism Over New Electric Shock Gloves Plan

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers may soon be outfitted with gloves that can deliver painful electric shocks as they carry out their law enforcement duties. The plan was unveiled in a recent notice published by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and has been condemned by Democratic elected officials and civil rights activists. According to the notice, ICE plans to spend $10-20 million providing officers and agents with so-called “conductive distraction and de-escalation devices" The gloves can deliver shocks of up to 380 volts of electricity and are intended to gain compliance from people who are resisting. Speaking at a news conference after the plan was unveiled, New York Attorney General Letitia James said it “appears to be in violation of a number of laws, including our constitution.” Civil rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), have also expressed concern about the use of such devices by law enforcement.