Thompson, Correa, Thanedar Demand ICE End Dangerous $20 Million Plan to Arm Agents with Electric Shock Gloves
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Border Security & Enforcement, and Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations & Accountability, announced they sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin demanding the department immediately halt ICE’s plan to spend up to $20 million on gloves capable of delivering electric shocks.
On August 10, ICE announced plans to spend up to $20 million on electric shock gloves that its own manufacturer warns “may result in injury or death.” The Ranking Members warned that arming ICE with another potentially deadly weapon is especially dangerous given the agency’s record of deadly force, misuse of “less-lethal” weapons, and reduced training requirements.
“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,” the Ranking Members wrote. “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.”
The Members urged Secretary Mullin to intervene and halt the procurement before it moves forward, warning that the devices could be incorrectly used or abused by ICE personnel and result in further injury or death.
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