I was horrified when I heard about ICE planning to spend $20 million by March 2027 to acquire electric shock gloves. The very thought of these gloves being used to inflict pain on detainees is beyond distressing; it’s inhumane and must be prevented.

Electric Shock Gloves, also known as Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter electroshock gloves (G.L.O.V.E.), deliver painful electric shocks to individuals. While touted as non-lethal, these devices can cause people to collapse onto the floor. A demonstration by Compliant Technologies LLC, shown in a YouTube Video by  [CBS 8 San Diego], shows men collapsing onto the ground after being shocked by the G.L.O.V.E. from the times of 0:52-1:05. Civil rights advocates expressed alarm at the plan, saying ICE officers already face criticism for their use of force with little oversight or accountability while enforcing President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.

According to [The Hill], a DHS spokesperson told NewsNation, “ICE is constantly assessing the needs of our officers in the field to ensure they have the tools and equipment necessary to safely arrest and remove criminal illegal aliens from our country. Every decision is made with careful consideration and appropriately reviewed to ensure that any technology ICE utilizes is consistent with all applicable law enforcement policies and standards.” The DHS does not ensure that its agents safely arrest and remove quote-unquote illegal aliens from the country because, according to [The American Prospect], ICE has killed 10 people and injured 7.  According to [AP News], the manufacturer warns the device should not be used as punishment, against people merely exhibiting “verbal defiance or belligerence” or on high-risk populations such as children, pregnant women, or elderly or disabled people. I believe ICE will not follow Compliance Technologies' warning, considering the damage ICE has done to people already. According to [AP News], Jenn Rolnick Borchetta, deputy project director on policing at the American Civil Liberties Union agrees ICE will not use the electro shock gloves for their intended use as well by stating “ICE spent the last year showing this country they are too quick to use force. Now they will be able to deploy electric shocks with the slight push of a button that maybe nobody else can see them do,” she said. “Introducing gloves that can so easily be used to deliver terrible pain in encounters is a recipe for harm to the public.” ICE having these electric shock gloves would make me fear for my life and safety, considering that if I see an ICE agent deporting somebody I know, I will scream at them, and I will probably get shocked, and since it has been shown these shocks easily subdue able-bodied men, it might kill me, because of the fact that I am disabled and am more vulnerable to physical damage due to having Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Alternatives are available that can give disabled people like me, who are not afraid to speak out against ICE, peace of mind and prioritize de-escalation and humanity, such as improving training for officers in conflict resolution and using non-violent restraint techniques. These methods not only adhere to humane standards but also foster a more respectful and effective environment for both the officers and those in their custody.

I urge policymakers within the Department of Homeland Security and legislators at both state and federal levels to take action against this violation. Review current regulations, ban the use of shock gloves immediately, and implement more humane practices. It's time to ensure that the treatment of all individuals reflects the values we hold dearly as a society.

Sign this petition to demand a ban on the use of shock gloves by ICE. Together, we can push for change that respects and upholds human dignity.