U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is preparing to spend roughly $16.7 million to acquire 6,000 gloves designed to deliver electric shocks, according to a report from La Jornada. The equipment, intended for use on detainees in ICE custody, has raised alarm among human rights advocates who fear it could be used to intimidate or harm migrants held in detention facilities across the United States.
Details on the exact model, manufacturer, or planned deployment timeline for the devices have not been fully disclosed. However, the purchase comes amid ongoing scrutiny of conditions inside ICE detention centers, which have faced repeated criticism from civil rights groups, lawmakers, and international observers over allegations of excessive use of force and inadequate medical care.
Critics argue that introducing shock-capable gloves into detention settings could escalate the risk of abuse against a population that includes asylum seekers, families, and individuals awaiting immigration hearings—many of whom have no criminal record. Supporters of the acquisition, meanwhile, may frame it as a tool for staff safety in facilities that house individuals for extended periods.
The report does not specify which agency oversight body approved the spending or whether the gloves have undergone independent safety testing. As the story develops, questions remain about accountability and transparency in ICE’s procurement practices.
For the full details, read the original report at jornada.com.mx.
Image: MSVG, BY 2.0 (via Openverse).