Trump administration plans to give ICE officers electric-shock gloves

What the report says

The Trump administration is planning a new equipment purchase for federal immigration officers, with the Department of Homeland Security preparing to buy electric-shock gloves for use by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to an Al Jazeera report based on a Monday procurement notice and Associated Press reporting. The estimated contract value is between $10 million and $20 million, with purchases expected by the end of March 2027.

The gloves, called the CT-G5 G.L.O.V.E., are already used in some jails and police departments. The manufacturer says they are intended to deliver small electrical pulses that temporarily distract a person, while DHS described the planned use as part of “distraction and de-escalation.” The notice said the gear would be distributed to personnel in ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and Homeland Security Investigations units.

The proposal comes amid intensifying scrutiny of ICE and the broader immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump. Rights advocates criticized the plan, warning that such tools could be used against immigrants and protesters in custody or during enforcement actions. The National Immigration Law Center said the move would deepen harm to vulnerable communities.

For context, ICE has faced repeated criticism over enforcement tactics, and Congress recently approved major new funding for the agency. The procurement notice was listed as a no-bid contract and could be published by Friday, according to the report.