U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has awarded a $16.7 million contract for the procurement of 6,000 pairs of gloves capable of delivering electric shocks. According to federal records, the agency secured the equipment through a no-bid contract. ICE officials have stated that the gloves are intended to provide officers with a tool to maintain control over detainees or protesters who exhibit resistance during enforcement actions.

The acquisition has drawn significant criticism from civil rights advocates and several Democratic members of Congress. Opponents of the purchase have expressed concerns regarding the potential for misuse, arguing that ICE officers should not be entrusted with devices capable of inflicting pain in this manner. While the agency maintains that the technology is a necessary addition to their enforcement capabilities, critics suggest the deployment of such equipment could lead to excessive force and human rights violations. The contract was finalized despite these public objections, highlighting a continued divide between federal enforcement priorities and the concerns raised by oversight groups regarding the conduct of immigration agents.