An embattled federal law enforcement agency plans to spend millions on gloves that can deliver an electric shock, which is alarming critics.
According to reporting by the Associated Press, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a notice that revealed it plans to spend $20 million on thousands of gloves for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents that deliver "painful electric shocks." The notice described the electric gloves as "de-escalation gloves," AP reported.
The news was met with condemnation and fear online, as ICE has already been in the headlines for fatal shootings, some of which involved protesters.
"ICE plans to electrocute many more people it arrests," warned David Bier, the director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute. "Sure wish they could be sued when they do it for no good reason."
Former GOP congressman Joe Walsh slammed the purchase, writing, "This fascist s--- shouldn't be happening in America."
"If ICE wasn't sadistic enough, the agency plans to spend up to $20 million to give officers gloves that can deliver painful electric shocks," posted immigrant advocate Thomas Kennedy.
"Is this really necessary?" asked journalist Jonathan Saxon.
"Is putting a live current in an officer's hands during every confrontation de-escalation...or excessive force?" wondered online commentator Mario Nawfal.
"The United States of Dystopia," commented journalist Stephanie Grace.
According to the AP, agents are expected to get the gloves in March. The gloves have also been used in recent years in jails and by police departments, the AP added.
The devices are called Generated Low Output Voltage Emitters (GLOVE), and they're made by the company Compliant Technologies. The founder and CEO of the company, Jeff Niklaus, responded to the AP's request for comment by writing, "Unfortunately, we are unable to speak on this subject."
The shock delivered by the gloves feels "like a bee sting," John Peters, the president of the Institute for the Prevention of In-custody Deaths, told the AP. "It's immediate and sharp."