Controversy in the U.S.: Government plans to equip ICE with electric shock gloves
The United States government has launched a budget plan that will allocate millions of dollars to equip immigration agents with gloves capable of delivering electric shocks. This measure has generated strong opposition from civil organizations, which warn of a worrying hardening of the methods used during immigration operations.
The Department of Homeland Security detailed that the contract for the acquisition of the devices, known as CTG-5, amounts to 20 million dollars. It is estimated that the purchase and distribution of this equipment could be completed by the end of March 2027.
Technical details and official justification
The gloves feature conductive electrodes on the palm, designed to emit electrical pulses that generate pain upon direct contact with a person’s skin. Unlike other devices, these do not work through clothing. Although the Department of Homeland Security has classified this technology as a de-escalation device, the measure has raised alarms about a potential excessive use of force in the field.
ICE constantly evaluates the needs of our agents in the field to ensure they have the tools and equipment necessary to safely arrest and deport illegal immigrants with criminal records.
Official statement from the Department of Homeland SecurityVoices of opposition and context of tension
The National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) has been one of the most critical entities regarding this initiative. Jorge Torres, director of the organization, described the decision as a step toward discrete torture and reiterated his stance on the need to deeply reform immigration agencies.
- ICE has been the target of constant criticism due to the perceived aggressiveness of its detention campaigns.
- Social tension has been increased by recent incidents, including deadly shootings involving migrants in Texas and Maine.
- At the beginning of 2026, a series of protests shook the country following the death of two U.S. citizens during immigration operations in Minneapolis, cases that led to demands for greater control and accountability.
With the implementation of this new equipment, the debate over the limits of immigration authority and the protection of human rights continues to be a central point of friction in United States domestic policy, while authorities defend the need for greater security for their agents in the performance of their duties.
