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By Billal Rahman
Immigration Reporter
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Two House Democrats introduced legislation to prohibit federal immigration agents from using electric "shock gloves" during immigration enforcement operations, highlighting potential dangers.
The move follows a plan by Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) to acquire the devices for immigration agents.
Reps. Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania and Delia Ramirez of Illinois announced the legislation, known as the No Shock Act, on September 3. The bill would bar the use of "shock gloves" by federal law enforcement officers enforcing immigration laws and would also apply to state and local officers operating under federal immigration enforcement partnerships.
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A "shock glove" is defined as a glove capable of delivering an electric shock when applied directly to a person's body, including the CTG-5 G.L.O.V.E., or Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter, manufactured by Kentucky-based Compliant Technologies LLC.
The legislation follows DHS plans to spend approximately $16.7 million on 6,000 gloves for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel. The gloves are designed to deliver an electrical stimulus through direct skin contact and are marketed by the manufacturer as a compliance and de-escalation tool for law enforcement and corrections officers.
Under the proposed legislation, the Homeland Security Secretary would be required to prohibit the use of shock gloves by federal officers enforcing immigration laws. The bill would extend the prohibition to law enforcement agencies participating in the federal government's 287(g) program, which allows certain state and local officers to perform immigration enforcement functions.
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A spokesperson for DHS told Newsweek, "Sanctuary politicians attempting to ban our federal law enforcement from any safety equipment is despicable and a deliberate attempt to undermine and endanger our officers."
Rep. Ramirez said in a press release: "Under no circumstances can DHS be trusted with electric shock gloves and the power to inflict ‘sudden’ death.' After opening a Congressional inquiry to demand that DHS immediately halt the acquisition and deployment of electric shock gloves, I’m joining Rep. Dean to prohibit these cruel devices from being used during immigration enforcement."
The Compliant Technologies website states: "CD3 Technology is not risk free and should be treated seriously like any other weapon. Follow all laws, agency policies, and Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) when deploying the G.L.O.V.E. CD3," and warns "may result in injury or death if not followed or observed."
Ramirez also called for dismantling DHS, saying lawmakers should "take every weapon, every dollar, every authority away" from the agency.
"For nearly two years, we have witnessed grotesquely un-American behavior from ICE agents—the tragic killing of innocent Americans, the wrongful arrests of lawful residents and peaceful protesters, and the inhumane conditions at ICE facilities across the country," Rep. Dean said. "Now, DHS seeks to further arm ICE agents with electric shock gloves, enabling them to inflict even more pain with zero accountability."
The legislation has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee. As of Tuesday, the bill had not attracted bipartisan support among its listed cosponsors.
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How Would They Be Used?
The proposal comes weeks after DHS' planned purchase of the gloves drew public attention. While ICE has not publicly released deployment guidelines, experts have said the devices could be used during arrests, detention facility operations and other close-contact encounters.
Compliant Technologies describes the G.L.O.V.E. as a "conductive distraction and de-escalation device" that functions as a standard glove until activated. The company says the technology is designed to gain compliance from resistant individuals and does not leave lasting marks. Manufacturer guidance also states the gloves should not be used as punishment or solely in response to verbal noncompliance.
A spokesperson for DHS said, "ICE is constantly assessing the needs of our officers in the field to ensure they have the tools and equipment necessary to safely arrest and remove criminal illegal aliens from our country. Every decision is made with careful consideration and appropriately reviewed to ensure that any technology ICE utilizes is consistent with all applicable law enforcement policies and standards.
"Our officers are highly trained in de-escalation tactics and regularly receive ongoing use of force training."
DHS said the devices would be issued to personnel in Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement and Removal Operations, ICE's two principal operational divisions.
Critics Raise Concerns
A letter from Ramirez and 49 other reps to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin dated August 31 raises safety concerns about the gloves which deliver a 380-volt shock, and includes claims they violate the Convention Against Torture.
Opposition to the gloves has also emerged in the Senate. On August 27, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and 15 other senators called on the Trump administration to abandon plans to equip ICE officers with electric shock gloves. In a letter to ICE, the lawmakers urge the agency to cancel the proposed purchase and requested detailed information about the devices' intended use, training requirements, safety protocols, oversight mechanisms, and accountability measures if the acquisition proceeds. The senators also raise concerns about the necessity of the devices and ICE's planned use of a no-bid procurement process for the contract.
Civil rights groups such as the ACLU have raised concerns about the planned deployment of the devices, while supporters of less-lethal law enforcement technologies argue such tools can provide officers with alternatives to higher levels of force.
Claire Trickler-McNulty, a former U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and ICE official, told Newsweek, "There's a real tactical downside that officers have mentioned to me, that while wearing the glove, you can't readily use your firearm or another less-lethal option, which can put the officer in a worse position."
"Where I could see a limited justification is in a controlled, custodial setting, where the environment is contained, and the officer isn't juggling multiple threats. But for arrests being made out in the community, vehicle stops, at-large arrests, neighborhood operations, I would have serious concerns."
Concerns about the use of shock gloves have also surfaced outside immigration enforcement. Earlier this year, Omaha Public Schools banned the devices for school security personnel after officials confirmed they had been used on two students.
The No Shock Act faces an uncertain path in Congress, where Republicans control both the House and Senate. To become law, the measure would need approval from both chambers and the signature of President Donald Trump.
The bill is one of several Democratic-led efforts to impose additional oversight and accountability measures on DHS and ICE as the Trump administration continues to carry out its flagship mass deportation policy. The issue could also become part of the debate ahead of this year's midterm elections, when Democrats will seek to regain control of Congress.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Daniel Orton and Trevor Davies.
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