The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency is moving forward with a procurement plan to acquire thousands of 'Glove' devices—an acronym for Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter—by March. According to a notice issued by the Department of Homeland Security, the contract is valued at up to $20 million. The equipment is manufactured by Compliant Technologies LLC, a company based in Lexington, Kentucky.

The primary function of the gloves is to deliver a low-voltage electric shock to individuals, a mechanism the manufacturer claims is designed to encourage compliance during physical interactions. Compliant Technologies states that the stimulation typically forces individuals to comply in under three seconds. The manufacturer further asserts that the technology is designed to avoid causing lasting physical trauma, claiming the shocks do not leave burns, marks, or scars on the subject.

While the procurement notice outlines the logistical timeline for the acquisition, it does not detail the specific training protocols or oversight measures that will govern the use of these devices by ICE agents. The announcement has drawn attention due to the nature of the technology, which is intended to serve as a non-lethal tool for law enforcement officers in the field.