Electric Shock at Arm's Reach: The New and Controversial Weapon of the US Immigration Police

The US Department of Homeland Security plans to purchase the 'CTG-5 G.L.O.V.E' system, low-voltage stun gloves, for immigration enforcement and investigations agents. The deal is expected to total $20 million, and the procurement process may be completed by the end of March. While DHS defines the gloves as a 'de-escalation tool', human rights activists warn that this is a weapon that could escalate confrontations. The glove emits a voltage lower than a Taser but sufficient to paralyze muscles. The company markets it as having 'low visibility'.

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to purchase the 'CTG-5 G.L.O.V.E' system, low-voltage stun gloves, for immigration enforcement and criminal investigations agents. The deal is expected to total $20 million, and the procurement process may be completed by the end of March. While DHS defines the gloves as a 'de-escalation tool', human rights activists warn that this is a weapon that could escalate confrontations on the ground. The electrified glove is a relatively new tool that has not yet been widely adopted by police forces across the US. According to the company's specifications, the glove emits a voltage significantly lower than that of a Taser, but the level is sufficient to paralyze muscle movement and cause pain that will subdue the suspect. It can be activated within one second by pressing a button. The company markets the product as having 'low visibility', meaning a glove that looks innocent to the general public and therefore 'looks better on video' compared to other enforcement measures. According to the manufacturer's instructions, the gloves should not be used as a means of punishment, and their use on the elderly, pregnant women, and children should be completely avoided. This unprecedented decision comes at the height of the Trump administration's mass deportation campaign, which recently received extensive federal funding that enabled the recruitment of over 12,000 new inspectors. ICE has recently faced sharp criticism for aggressive tactics, including the use of pepper spray against protesters and fatal shooting incidents. 'Giving ICE agents gloves that can deliver an electric shock is simply terrifying, especially given their recklessness in using force over the past year,' said a representative of the ACLU civil rights organization. Former senior officials in the Democratic administration also wondered why there is a need for painful measures against people accused of civil immigration offenses. On the other hand, ICE did not remain silent and clarified its official position: 'We constantly assess field needs to ensure our agents have the necessary tools to safely arrest and remove criminal illegal aliens. Every decision is carefully considered and meets the required law enforcement standards.'