The U.S. government’s plan to spend up to $20 million on electric-shock gloves for immigration enforcement agents has drawn strong criticism from Democratic lawmakers and immigrant rights advocates.
The Department of Homeland Security announced plans to purchase CTG-5 gloves, which have electrodes in the palm that deliver electrical pulses when they come into contact with the skin. DHS has described the devices as a “de-escalation device.”
Kica Matos, president of the National Immigration Law Center, condemned the proposal, calling the idea of equipping immigration agents with the devices “repugnant and barbaric” and urging Congress to end what she described as a “blank check” for ICE.
Democratic Rep. Delia Ramírez of Illinois also criticized the proposal, writing on X that “under no circumstances” should the Department of Homeland Security be trusted with electric-shock gloves.
The criticism comes as the planned purchase faces increased scrutiny over the use of force during immigration enforcement operations.
