Democratic senators urge ICE to scrap $20 million electric shock glove plan
A coalition of Democratic senators, led by Catherine Cortez Masto, asked Immigration and Customs Enforcement to abandon its proposal to buy electric shock-producing gloves.
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, together with 15 Democratic colleagues, sent a letter to the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement urging the agency to cancel its plan to acquire thousands of electric shock gloves. The proposal, estimated at up to $20 million, would equip officers with gloves that can deliver painful electric currents when a button is pressed. The senators highlighted recent high-profile cases of force misuse in Los Angeles, Chicago, Minneapolis, Houston, Maine and other locations, arguing that ICE may not be equipped to use the devices responsibly.
They called for transparent training standards, strict usage limits, and comprehensive internal review mechanisms. White House border czar Tom Homan countered that the gloves could provide a less-lethal alternative for gaining compliance, but said deployment would be delayed while training and policy details are worked out.
Why it matters
The request raises questions about the use of non-lethal force tools by federal immigration officers and oversight of new policing equipment.
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