- ICE plans to spend up to $20 million to purchase thousands of conductive distraction and de-escalation devices by March.
- Thanedar, along with Bennie Thompson and Lou Correa, sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin urging him to halt the procurement.
- The lawmakers warned that the gloves could be incorrectly used or abused by ICE personnel and result in further injury or death.
- The Department of Homeland Security described the gloves, capable of delivering painful electric shocks, as a “de-escalation device.”
- ICE is facing criticism for use of aggressive tactics as it carries out President Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign.
- ICE agents have deployed pepper spray against protesters, dragged people out of vehicles and fatally shot at least six people during Trump’s second term in office.
- Thanedar and colleagues expressed concerns about ICE's record of violence, stating that the agency must not equip its officers with devices that require significant training and restraint.
- Under Trump, ICE has hired unqualified officers and agents and rushed them through training programs with reduced use of force instruction.
Rep. Thanedar has called on the Trump administration to stop ICE from acquiring electric shock gloves, citing concerns over potential abuse and harm. In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, he emphasized that the gloves, which ICE plans to purchase for $20 million, could lead to serious injuries or fatalities.12
The gloves are marketed as “conductive distraction and de-escalation devices”, but Thanedar and fellow lawmakers expressed skepticism given ICE's “horrific record of violence”. They warned that the agency's personnel, who have been criticized for aggressive tactics during President Trump's mass deportation campaign, may misuse the devices.
“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,” the lawmakers stated in their letter. They highlighted concerns that many ICE officers are inadequately trained, having been rushed through programs with reduced use of force instruction.
ICE has faced scrutiny for its actions, including deploying pepper spray against protesters and being involved in fatal incidents during Trump's presidency. The lawmakers urged Secretary Mullin to intervene and halt the procurement process before it advances, emphasizing the potential for further injury or death if the gloves are misused.
“ICE plans to spend up to $20 million on thousands of the gloves by March, which DHS describes as a 'de-escalation device.' The lawmakers cite ICE's record of violence, including fatally shooting at least six people during Trump's second term, as reason for the halt.”
Deccan Herald
