House Democrats Challenge $17 Million ICE Contract for Shock Gloves

Led by Rep. Delia Ramirez of Illinois, the group sent a formal letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, labeling the devices—known as Generated Low Output Voltage Emitters (GLOVE)—as tools for unaccountable abuse. The contract, awarded to Kentucky-based Compliant Technologies without a competitive bidding process, authorizes the purchase of 6,000 pairs of the gloves for use by field agents.

Human rights organizations, including the ACLU and the Center for Victims of Torture, have joined the pushback against the acquisition. Critics point to the death of a 43-year-old man in Kentucky, who perished after corrections officers repeatedly shocked him with similar equipment, as evidence that these weapons are inherently prone to misuse. With more than 50 deaths reported in ICE custody during the current administration, signatories argue that the rollout prioritizes physical intimidation over human safety. Beyond demanding a total ban on the devices, the lawmakers are pressing the Department of Homeland Security to disclose internal threat assessments and training protocols associated with the procurement.