US Democrats urge halt to ICE electric shock gloves amid abuse fears

Three Democratic lawmakers have urged the US government to stop ICE from buying electric shock gloves. They warn the devices could be misused by poorly trained officers and cause serious injury or death.Image used for representational purposes onlyThree Democratic lawmakers, including Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar, have asked the US government to immediately stop Immigration and Customs Enforcement's plan to buy electric shock gloves for its officers. In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, they said the devices could be misused by ICE personnel and could lead to injury or death.ICE plans to spend up to USD 20 million by March to buy thousands of what it calls "conductive distraction and de-escalation devices" for officers and agents. The Department of Homeland Security has described the gloves, which can deliver painful electric shocks, as a "de-escalation device".In their letter sent on Friday, Thanedar, Bennie Thompson and Lou Correa said, "Given ICE's horrific record of violence against the public, the agency must not be allowed to equip its officers and agents with a device that demands both significant training for and restraint by its users."Thompson is the ranking member of the Committee on Homeland Security, while Correa and Thanedar are ranking members of the congressional subcommittees on Border Security and Enforcement, and Oversight, Investigations and Accountability, respectively. The lawmakers also said, "Under Trump, ICE has hired unqualified officers and agents and rushed them through training programmes with reduced use of force instruction. Many of these officers and agents should not have been hired at all, much less let loose on American streets with a badge, a gun, and electric shock gloves." The members urged Mullin to step in and halt the procurement before it moves forward, saying the devices could be incorrectly used or abused by ICE personnel and could result in further injury or death. ICE is facing criticism over aggressive tactics as it carries out President Donald Trump's mass deportation campaign.ICE agents have used pepper spray against protesters, dragged people out of vehicles and fatally shot at least six people during Trump's second term in office, leading to calls for greater accountability. The lawmakers' letter focuses on their demand that ICE's planned purchase of electric shock gloves be stopped immediately. With PTI Inputs- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Aug 23, 2026 05:18 IST