Politics & Government

ICE Agents Could Soon Be Wearing Electric Shock Gloves For 'De-Escalation': DHS

The plan has sparked fierce outrage amongst some New York lawmakers.

NEW YORK, NY — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents could soon be wearing electric shock gloves.

According to a notice posted Monday by the Department of Homeland Security, the agency "has a requirement to purchase" the CTG-5 G.L.O.V.E, or Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter.

The gloves are deemed a "a conductive distraction and de-escalation device," and "will be issued to Homeland Security Investigations (H.S.I.) and Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) officers and agents."

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The gloves are slated to cost between $10 million and $20 million, with contract completion by March 31, 2027, according to the notice.

Neither ICE nor DHS representatives immediately returned a request for comment.

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The plan sparked fierce backlash: New York State Attorney General Letitia James, according to PBS, said: "We are outraged." The outlet added that James said that ICE officers who misused the gloves could face criminal and civil charges in New York.

New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul agreed, according to PIX 11: "“You cannot trample on someone’s constitutional rights and you cannot cause them undo harm. You will be held accountable," she said.

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