ICE's plan to give shock gloves to officers raises fears of misuse

Key Points:

• ICE plans to spend $10 million to $20 million to equip officers with G.L.O.V.E. gloves that deliver painful electric shocks to gain compliance, a move criticized as unnecessary and cruel by Democrats and civil rights advocates.
• The gloves, which must be applied directly to the skin to cause pain without leaving marks, have raised safety concerns after a lawsuit alleged they contributed to a man's death following excessive shocks in a Kentucky jail.
• New York Attorney General Letitia James condemned the plan, warning of potential criminal and civil consequences for misuse, while ICE's parent agency stated the decision was carefully reviewed to ensure compliance with law enforcement standards.
• Former ICE officials and law professors expressed fears the gloves could be misused against vulnerable populations and might encourage officers to use excessive force instead of lesser means to achieve compliance.
• The purchase is expected to cover most ICE officers through a no-bid contract lasting until March 2027, despite warnings from the manufacturer against using the device on certain groups or for punishment.