Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to equip agents with electric shock gloves designed to deliver up to 380 volts [3].
The move introduces a new tier of force for federal agents during confrontations. While the agency describes the gloves as a de-escalation tool, the introduction of wearable electrical weapons raises questions about the threshold for force during immigration enforcement.
ICE intends to purchase these devices from a manufacturer based in Kentucky [4]. The gloves are marketed as a wearable de-escalation device intended to provide agents with a less-lethal option during physical encounters [1, 2].
Reports on the cost of the program vary slightly. ICE plans to spend between $10 million and $20 million [1] on the equipment. Other reports indicate the agency plans to spend up to $20 million [2]. Some sources describe the arrangement as a no-bid $20 million contract with the Kentucky company [4].
The devices are designed to allow agents to incapacitate a subject through electrical discharge without relying on traditional handheld tasers or firearms. By integrating the technology into gloves, the agency aims to provide officers with a more immediate response capability during arrests or searches.
This procurement comes as federal agencies continue to evaluate the balance between officer safety and the use of non-lethal weaponry in the field. The Kentucky-based manufacturer has not provided public details on the specific mechanism of the glove's delivery system beyond the voltage capacity [3].
“ICE is planning to purchase electric shock gloves that can deliver up to 380 volts.”
The adoption of wearable electrical weapons represents a shift toward integrated force technology. By moving electrical discharge from a projectile-based system, like a taser, to a contact-based wearable, ICE is changing how agents physically engage with individuals. This may reduce the risk of missed shots but increases the likelihood of electrical discharge during routine physical restraints.
