US ICE awards $16.7 million contract for electric-shock gloves

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has awarded a $16.7 million contract for 6,000 electric-shock gloves, despite criticism from lawmakers and civil liberties advocates.

The Kentucky-based company supplying the devices was awarded the contract, according to government documents, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

ICE describes the gloves as “de-escalation devices”, saying they could reduce the need for stronger or potentially lethal forms of force. The agency said that, with proper training, the devices could improve the safety of officers and the public.

Known formally as GLOVEs, the devices are activated by pressing a button and can deliver an electric shock when they come into direct contact with a person's skin.

The technology has attracted criticism because the manufacturer warns that its physical effects could, in some circumstances, lead to sudden death.

Several Democratic lawmakers had urged ICE not to proceed with the purchase. In a letter to acting ICE chief David Venturella, they questioned whether the agency could responsibly use a device that could harm US citizens, citing allegations of disproportionate force by ICE officers in Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Houston and elsewhere.

The purchase comes as ICE continues operations under President Donald Trump's hardline deportation policy.

The agency has faced heavy criticism this year after federal agents shot and killed US citizens Renée Good and Alex Pretti in separate street shootings. Fatal encounters have also been reported in Houston and Maine in recent months.

By Aghakazim Guliyev