ICE Could Soon Have a New Way to Inflict Pain: Shock-Gloves
Electric-shock gloves could make force easier to use and harder for the public to see.
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DHS is planning a $10 million to $20 million ICE contract for electric-shock gloves. What could go wrong?
This past Monday on August 10, the Department of Homeland Security posted and published a procurement forecast saying that ICE has a new requirement to purchase the CTG-5 G.L.O.V.E., Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter. DHS is saying that it is “Conductive Distraction and De-escalation Device” and would be given to ICE agents in Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement and Removal Operations.
What will the glove do?
According to Compliant Technologies, the company that makes it, the CTG5 can be activated in 1 second using a switch on the glove. The manufacturer shows a voltage of 324 to 362 volts.
Current, pulse duration, where it’s applied, how long it’s being used for and the current health of the person being subjected to it is all important.
The company says that the gloves are designed to create painful distraction rather than the prolonged neuromuscular incapacitation associated with some other electrical weapons. Associated Press reporting describes the effect as a painful stimulus delivered through direct contact with the skin.
The gloves user manual says that no more than two gloves should be applied to one person at a time and sets a 15-second activation limit for one category of use and the manual also warns: “any use of force, including CD3 deployment, may cause or contribute to death or serious injury.”
ICE have been involved in multiple fatal shootings with a reputation for abusing power. Reuters documents distinctions in its review of fatal shootings by federal immigration agents.
The ACLU reviewed more than 1,200 immigration-enforcement incidents from 8 states during 2025 and classified more than 400 as involving misconduct. The review documents hundreds of incidents involving pushing, tackling, pinning people, chemical irritants, racial profiling and other conduct.
What happens when thousands of shock gloves are handed to ICE after repeated, documented abuse of power?
A firearm is noticeable, or a baton is easily seen and has to be reached for. Those actions are obviously visible and easy to catch on video. The CTG5 glove is already on the officer’s hand and relatively hidden.
The glove manufacturer advertises the G.L.O.V.E. as an “invisible partner” and that the CTG5 can be switched on in 1 second.
Consider what this looks like during an ICE arrest:
Someone is surrounded by ICE officers and frightened. They might not understand what’s happening and they might speak limited English. They might be crying, panicking, or tensing up or instinctively pulling an arm away when they are grabbed. An officer is already holding them… And with another use-of-force weapon, witnesses may see the officer reach for something. With this device, the transition from holding someone to electrically shocking someone could occur through a switch on a glove already holding that person. Misuse will be less obvious and harder to catch.
ICE still has unresolved problems with transparency
Especially when we look at ICE’s current body camera system.
ICE is expanding body cameras, which provide evidence when force is used. However, its policy gives the agency broad discretion over what we get to see. ICE’s policy says footage of shootings and other incidents causing death or serious injury will be promptly released only after the agency determines that doing so is in its “best interests.”
ICE wants more ways to inflict pain before it shows us that there are safeguards around the power it already has.
Q & A
Are ICE agents currently wearing the gloves?
At this time, there’s no evidence that the shock gloves have been given to ICE agents.
Does 362 volts mean these gloves can kill someone?
The manufacturer says the device is non lethal and uses short electrical pulses BUT its safety documentation says that any use of force involving this technology may cause or contribute to death or serious injury.
Isn’t an electric glove better than an officer shooting someone?
Potentially, and this is the strongest argument in favor of the gloves. But we all know how ICE moves at this point and are highly skeptical if this will actually have any positive outcome. AP news interviewed an expert who sees potential benefits while acknowledging the possibility of misuse.
Can an agent shock someone just because they are arguing or refusing to cooperate?
The manufacturer’s guide says the gloves shouldn’t be used as punishment because someone is verbally defiant or belligerent.
Will there be a record every time an officer uses the glove?
The gloves have “Event Recording Capability” as a feature with stored information. Regardless, it’s up to ICE if they decide to share the recordings with the public.
Has ICE bought $20 million worth of gloves already?
Not yet. The DHS document lists an estimated contract range of $10 million to $20 million and describes the acquisition as a “New Requirement.” AP reports that the potential purchase could involve thousands of devices. Click here for the official DHS statement.
Sources
Department of Homeland Security | CTG-5 G.L.O.V.E. Acquisition Forecast
Compliant Technologies | G4/G5 G.L.O.V.E. User Manual
Associated Press | ICE plans to give officers gloves that deliver electric shocks
Reuters | Death rate in ICE detention more than doubles
ACLU | Review of more than 1,200 immigration-enforcement incidents
You can be sure that someone in the admin has stock or ownership in the company making these gloves
What a bunch of sick people. What are we becoming as a society? Every day, it just gets more and more barbaric. To what end?