The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is to equip officers with electric shock gloves called CTG 5 G.L.O.V.E. to restrain civilians during arrests.

In recent times, operations of the ICE officers have drawn public scrutiny over alleged aggressive  tactics against targets.  

The Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter, manufactured by Compliant Technologies LLC and described by the company as a “Conductive Distraction and De-escalation Device,” could cost between $10 million and $20 million, according to a notice published on Monday by the Department of Homeland Security.

“ICE has a requirement to purchase the CTG-5 G.L.O.V.E. (Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter), a conductive distraction and de-escalation device, which will be issued to Homeland Security Investigations (H.S.I.) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers and agents,” the notice said.

Though DHS has not said how many of the devices it plans to purchase, they are expected to be delivered by March 31, 2027, per the contract. Prison and police departments have used the devices in recent years, but it remains unclear when ICE agents will begin to use them.

DHS said the solicitation for the contract, which would not be subject to competitive bidding, could be published as early as Friday.

According to the manufacturer, the gloves function as normal patrol gloves and must be applied to the skin to deliver an electric shock when activated. This allows officers to gain compliance within seconds.

Compliant Technologies said the gloves can deliver a maximum voltage of nearly 380V that “inhibits/distracts the subject from performing coordinated muscle movement.”

The company also said the devices “supplement existing tools for law enforcement, corrections, security, EMS and the military.” It warns against the devices being used against individuals for “verbal defiance or belligerence.”

The manufacturer cautions they should not be applied to vulnerable people, including children, pregnant women, people with disabilities or older adults. The devices generally should not be used for more than 15 seconds in many circumstances.

President of the Institute for the Prevention of In-Custody Deaths, John Peters, supported use of the device, saying, “For smaller officers or weaker officers or older officers, I think it has a great advantage,” the Associated Press reported.

The planned purchase comes as ICE agents continue to face criticism over their operations, including allegations of arrests without warrants, home invasions, and rights abuses.

Among critics of the proposal is the deputy project director on policing at the ACLU, Jenn Rolnick Borchetta, who questioned the necessity of the devices for immigration enforcement.

“ICE spent the last year showing this country they are too quick to use force,” she said, according to AP. “Now they will be able to deploy electric shocks with the slight push of a button that maybe nobody else can see them do.” 

Ms Borchetta added, “Introducing gloves that can so easily be used to deliver terrible pain in encounters is a recipe for harm to the public.”

The plan comes as the Donald Trump administration pressured ICE to make more arrests each day amid its immigration crackdown.