1 week ago
Lawmakers Urge Trump Administration to Halt ICE Shock Glove Plan
Three members of Congress want the government to stop ICE from buying electric shock gloves.
ICE is the agency that enforces immigration laws.
The gloves can deliver painful electric shocks.
Homeland Security calls them tools for calming dangerous situations.
The lawmakers worry officers could use them incorrectly or abuse them.
They say this could hurt or kill people.
ICE reportedly wants to spend up to $20 million on thousands of the gloves.
They asked Secretary Markwayne Mullin to stop the purchase before it moves forward.
Shri Thanedar, Bennie Thompson and Lou Correa urged Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to stop ICE’s planned purchase of electric shock gloves.
ICE reportedly plans to spend up to $20 million on thousands of the devices by March.
The Department of Homeland Security describes the gloves as “conductive distraction and de-escalation devices.”
The lawmakers warned that misuse or abuse could cause serious injury or death.
Their objections come as ICE faces criticism over aggressive tactics during the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign.
- Who
- Congressmen Shri Thanedar, Bennie Thompson and Lou Correa asked Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to intervene in ICE’s procurement plan.
- What
- The lawmakers urged the Trump administration to halt ICE’s planned purchase of electric shock gloves.
- Where
- The plan concerns Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the United States.
- When
- The request was made in a letter sent on Friday; the reported procurement is planned by March.
- Why
- The lawmakers said the gloves could be misused or abused by ICE personnel, potentially causing injury or death.
Lawmakers’ Concerns
Homeland Security’s Description
Purpose and safety
Lawmakers’ Concerns
The lawmakers argue that electric shock gloves could be incorrectly used or abused, causing injury or death, especially given what they describe as ICE’s record of violence and reduced use-of-force training.
Homeland Security’s Description
The Department of Homeland Security describes the gloves as “de-escalation devices,” indicating they are intended to help officers manage difficult encounters.
Procurement
Lawmakers’ Concerns
Thanedar, Thompson and Correa want Secretary Mullin to intervene and stop the purchase before it moves forward.
Homeland Security’s Description
ICE is reportedly proceeding with a plan to spend up to $20 million on thousands of the devices by March.
Key facts
- Agency
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- Proposed equipment
- “Conductive distraction and de-escalation devices” capable of delivering painful electric shocks
- Reported spending
- Up to $20 million
- Planned quantity
- Thousands of devices
- Procurement timing
- Planned by March
- Lawmakers
- Shri Thanedar, Bennie Thompson and Lou Correa
- Requested action
- Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin should halt the procurement
Quotes
Shri Thanedar, Bennie Thompson and Lou Correa
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives who signed the letter to the Homeland Security secretary
“Under Trump, ICE has hired unqualified officers and agents and rushed them through training programs 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.”
thestatesman.com
“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.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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