Two House Democrats introduced legislation to prohibit federal immigration agents from using electric "shock gloves" during immigration enforcement operations, highlighting potential dangers. The move follows a plan by Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) to acquire the devices for immigration agents. Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania and Delia Ramirez of Illinois announced the legislation, known as the No Shock Act, on September 3.
The bill would bar the use of "shock gloves" by federal law enforcement officers enforcing immigration laws and would also apply to state and local officers operating under federal immigration enforcement partnerships. A "shock glove" is defined as a glove capable of delivering an electric shock when applied directly to a person's body, including the CTG-5 G.L.O.V.E., or Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter, manufactured by Kentucky-based Compliant Technologies LLC. The legislation follows DHS plans to spend approximately $16.7 million on 6,000 gloves for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel.
The gloves are designed to deliver an electrical stimulus through direct skin contact and are marketed by the manufacturer as a compliance and de-escalation tool for law enforcement and corrections officers. Under the proposed legislation, the Homeland Security Secretary would be required to prohibit the use of shock gloves by federal officers enforcing immigration laws. The bill would extend the prohibition to law enforcement agencies participating in the federal government's 287(g) program, which allows certain state and local officers to perform immigration enforcement functions.
A spokesperson for DHS told Newsweek, "Sanctuary politicians attempting to ban our federal law enforcement from any safety equipment is despicable and a deliberate attempt to undermine and endanger our officers." Rep. Ramirez said in a press release: "Under no circumstances can DHS be trusted with electric shock gloves and the power to inflict ‘sudden’ death.' After opening a Congressional inquiry to demand that DHS immediately halt the acquisition and deployment of electric shock gloves, I’m joining Rep. Dean to prohibit these cruel devices from being used during immigration enforcement." The Compliant Technologies website states: "CD3 Technology is not risk free and should be treated seriously like any other weapon.
Follow all laws, agency policies, and Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) when deploying the G.L.O.V.E. CD3," and warns "may result in injury or death if not followed or observed." Ramirez also called for dismantling DHS, saying lawmakers should "take every weapon, every dollar, every authority away" from the agency. "For nearly two years, we have witnessed grotesquely un-American behavior from ICE agents—the tragic killing of innocent Americans, the wrongful arrests of lawful residents and peaceful protesters, and the inhumane conditions at ICE facilities across the country," Rep.
"Now, DHS seeks to further arm ICE agents with electric shock gloves, enabling them to inflict even more pain with zero accountability." The legislation has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee. As of Tuesday, the bill had not attracted bipartisan support among its listed cosponsors. The proposal comes weeks after DHS' planned purchase of the gloves drew public attention.
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