Electric shock at arm's reach: The new and controversial weapon of the US immigration police
The Department of Homeland Security plans to purchase the G.L.O.V.E system for $20 million for immigration enforcement and investigation agents. The administration presents it as a means to de-escalate conflicts, while human rights organizations warn against excessive use of force.
The administration of US President Donald Trump plans to spend up to $20 million on controversial equipment for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): smart gloves that deliver an electric shock upon physical contact. The move, reported by The New York Times and earlier by the AP news agency, is currently causing a major stir in the US due to fears of excessive use of force against immigrants.
The US Department of Homeland Security recently announced its intention to purchase the "CTG-5 G.L.O.V.E" system, low-voltage emitting gloves, for agents involved in immigration enforcement and criminal investigations. The deal is expected to total $20 million, and the procurement process may be completed by the end of this coming March. While the DHS defines the gloves as a "de-escalation tool," human rights activists warn that it is a weapon that could only escalate conflicts in the field.
The electric glove is a relatively new tool that has not yet been widely adopted by police departments across the US. According to the company's specifications, the glove emits a significantly lower voltage than a Taser, but at a level sufficient to paralyze muscle movement and cause pain that will subdue the suspect. Its activation takes place in just one second with the push of a button. The company markets the product as having "low visibility," meaning a glove that looks innocent to the general public and therefore "looks better on video" compared to other enforcement measures. According to the manufacturer's instructions, the gloves should not be used as a means of punishment, and their use on the elderly, pregnant women, and children should be completely avoided.
This precedent-setting decision comes at the peak of the Trump administration's mass deportation campaign, which recently received extensive federal funding that allowed for the recruitment of over 12,000 new inspectors. The ICE agency has already recently faced sharp criticism for aggressive tactics, including the use of pepper spray against protesters and fatal shooting incidents.
"Giving ICE agents gloves that can deliver an electric shock is just scary, especially in light of their recklessness in using force over the past year," said a representative of the civil rights organization ACLU.
Former officials in the Democratic administration also wondered why there is a need for painful measures against people accused of civil immigration offenses.
On the other hand, the ICE agency did not remain silent and clarified its official position: "We constantly evaluate field needs to ensure our agents have the tools necessary to safely detain and remove criminal illegal aliens. Every decision is carefully considered and meets the standards required of law enforcement."
