DHS Seeks $20 Million for Shock Gloves to Equip ICE Officers

The Department of Homeland Security is seeking up to $20 million to equip ICE officers with specialized electric shock gloves for use in the field. According to procurement documents submitted this week, the funding would cover G.L.O.V.E. devices—Generated Low Output Voltage Emitters—for Enforcement and Removal Operations as well as Homeland Security Investigations personnel. The gloves function as ordinary patrol gloves until activated, at which point they can deliver a shock of up to 380 volts upon direct skin contact. Officials describe the technology as a conductive distraction and de-escalation tool designed to help officers safely complete arrests.

DHS has framed the request as a practical measure to support safer operations while targeting criminal illegal aliens during a period of heightened immigration enforcement. The devices are intended to disrupt muscle coordination temporarily, giving officers a non-lethal option when confronting resistant or dangerous individuals. By integrating the capability into standard gloves, the equipment aims to provide an immediate response tool without requiring officers to draw additional weapons. The proposal reflects the administration’s continued emphasis on equipping frontline personnel with modern resources to carry out their duties effectively.

While some advocacy groups have raised questions about accountability and the potential for covert use, the department maintains that the gloves will enhance officer safety and operational control during field encounters. The funding request underscores a broader push to strengthen ICE’s ability to remove individuals who pose risks to public safety. As immigration enforcement remains a central priority, tools that allow officers to manage high-risk situations with greater precision are being actively pursued. The outcome of the procurement process will determine how widely the technology is deployed across ICE units.