ICE Plans to Buy Electric Shock Gloves for Arrests
Picture this: an ICE officer knocks on your door, and the gloves on their hands can deliver an electric shock at the press of a hidden button. That is not a distant possibility — it is what the Department of Homeland Security is now planning to make real. Civil rights groups say this puts immigrants at serious risk of pain and abuse with almost no oversight.
You are sitting in your car or standing in your home when ICE agents arrive. Under a new plan published by the Department of Homeland Security, those agents may soon be wearing gloves that can deliver electric shocks — and you might not even see them activate the device. DHS published a notice stating that ICE plans to spend up to $20 million to purchase thousands of these gloves by March.
What are these gloves and how do they work?
The device is called the Glove (Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter) and is made by Compliant Technologies LLC, based in Lexington, Kentucky. The gloves look like ordinary patrol gloves. When an officer presses a hidden switch, they switch into electrical mode. The shock must be applied directly to a person's skin. According to the manufacturer, the discomfort usually brings someone into compliance in under three seconds and leaves no burns or marks. John Peters, president of the Institute for the Prevention of In-Custody Deaths, described the sensation as "immediate and sharp" — like a bee sting. He said he believes ICE's planned purchase would be the largest the company has ever received.
Deportation Defense Checklist — Free
Immigrant rights, appeals and protective measures
Why civil rights groups are alarmed
Jenn Rolnick Borchetta, deputy project director on policing at the American Civil Liberties Union, told the Associated Press that she is deeply concerned about using these devices in civil immigration enforcement — not criminal arrests. "ICE spent the last year showing this country they are too quick to use force," she said. "Introducing gloves that can so easily be used to deliver terrible pain in encounters is a recipe for harm to the public." The manufacturer itself warns the device should not be used as punishment, against people showing only verbal resistance, or on children, pregnant women, elderly people, or people with disabilities. But critics point out there is little independent oversight to enforce those limits when ICE uses force in the field.
What to do
- If ICE comes to your door, you have the right to remain silent. You do not have to open the door unless officers show you a signed judicial warrant.
- Do not physically resist an ICE officer, even if you believe the arrest is unlawful — resisting can lead to additional charges and make your immigration case harder. Challenge the arrest through your lawyer and in immigration court instead.
- Write down everything that happened as soon as possible after any encounter with ICE, including whether force was used, and share it with your attorney.
- Contact an immigration lawyer immediately if you or a family member is detained. Organizations like the ACLU and local legal aid groups may be able to help if you cannot afford private counsel.
What to do, step by step — see our guide “Bond Hearing: How to Get Released”.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
During any ICE encounter, you have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with an attorney before answering questions — exercise both. If force is used against you, that does not end your legal options: attorneys can raise excessive-force claims and challenge the circumstances of your arrest in immigration court, which may affect the outcome of your removal proceedings. Given how quickly these situations escalate, having an immigration lawyer's number saved in your phone before any encounter is one of the most practical steps you can take right now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ICE legally use electric shock gloves during an immigration arrest?
DHS has not yet finalized the purchase, but federal law enforcement agencies are generally permitted to use approved force tools during arrests. The manufacturer's own guidelines say the gloves should not be used as punishment or against people who are only verbally resistant. Whether any specific use was lawful can be challenged in court with the help of an attorney.
What are my rights if ICE comes to my home?
You do not have to open your door unless officers present a judicial warrant signed by a judge. You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status. If officers enter anyway, do not physically resist — tell your lawyer what happened as soon as possible.
What should I do if an ICE officer uses force against me during an arrest?
Do not resist. As soon as you are able, write down exactly what happened — what the officer did, what you felt, and any witnesses present. Tell your immigration attorney right away. Excessive force during a civil immigration arrest can be raised as part of your legal defense and may support a formal complaint.
Does being arrested by ICE mean I will be deported?
Not automatically. An ICE arrest starts a process. You have the right to a hearing before an immigration judge, where you or your lawyer can argue against removal. You may also be eligible for bond. The outcome depends on your specific immigration history and situation, so getting legal help quickly matters.