Sixteen Democratic senators have urged Immigration and Customs Enforcement to cancel a planned $20 million purchase of electric shock gloves, questioning whether the agency can safely use the devices.
ICE recently announced plans to acquire thousands of “conductive distraction and de-escalation devices.” The gloves function normally until an officer activates an electrical mode designed to incapacitate or distract a person.
The senators, led by Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, cited concerns about alleged misuse of force by ICE officers in cities including Los Angeles, Chicago and Minneapolis. They also demanded greater transparency if the purchase proceeds, including details about officer training and procedures for reviewing incidents.
The dispute highlights growing tensions over ICE's enforcement methods and the level of oversight needed for new tools that can deliver electric shocks during civil immigration arrests.
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Letter signed by Democratic senators calls on ICE to halt electric shock gloveshttps://t.co/maT6lDybcJ
— The Hill (@thehill) August 27, 2026
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TIPP Staff
