Ramirez, Dean Introduce Bill to Ban ICE Use of “Shock Gloves”

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Ranking Member of a Subcommittee in the Committee of Homeland Security, and Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (PA-04) introduced H.R 10226, the No Shock Act, to ban the use of "shock gloves" by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. This month, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced its plan to spend $17 million on 6,000 shock gloves - electric gloves designed to inflict painful shocks with just a touch of the hand - for ICE officers to enforce the Trump Administration's policy of mass deportations.

The No Shock Act would prohibit the use of these gloves for all DHS immigration enforcement, including ICE and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), as well as state and local officers enlisted to carry out federal immigration enforcement.

"For years, DHS has spent billions of taxpayer dollars to amass paramilitary weapons while simultaneously attempting to shield itself and its agents from accountability. Using surveillance tech and tools of torture, DHS has already proven its capacity to perpetrate state-sanctioned abuse and arbitrary cruelty. Under no circumstances can DHS be trusted with electric shock gloves and the power to inflict 'sudden' death," said Congresswoman Ramirez. "After opening a Congressional inquiry to demand that DHS immediately halt the acquisition and deployment of electric shock gloves, I'm joining Rep. Dean to prohibit these cruel devices from being used during immigration enforcement. We cannot continue letting a dangerous agency access more tools to wage war on our communities. We have to take every weapon, every dollar, every authority away. We have to dismantle DHS."

"For nearly two years, we have witnessed grotesquely un-American behavior from ICE agents - the tragic killing of innocent Americans, the wrongful arrests of lawful residents and peaceful protesters, and the inhumane conditions at ICE facilities across the country," Rep. Dean said. "Now, DHS seeks to further arm ICE agents with electric shock gloves, enabling them to inflict even more pain with zero accountability. My bill will prohibit these devices from being used in any immigration enforcement."

The legislation comes after Congresswoman Ramirez led 49 colleagues in demanding the immediate cancellation of DHS's $16.7 million contract to equip Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents with electric shock gloves and the total ban of abusive devices across all immigration enforcement and detention operations. The lawmakers also requested information regarding training and protocol for the G.L.O.V.E usage, detailed documents regarding testing of the device, a comprehensive inventory of all "less-lethal" weapons being used by ICE and CBP personnel, and detailed information on internal investigations over the misuse of "less-lethal" weapons. The Secretary must provide an answer by September 18, 2026.

The Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter (G.L.O.V.E.) devices are manufactured in Lexington, Kentucky, by Compliant Technologies LLC. They are being purchased by DHS through a no-bid contract - a process typically reserved for emergencies. Human rights organizations and civil rights advocates have heavily criticized the use of the shock gloves, noting the history of abuse from DHS agents. The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture has also listed the G.L.O.V.E. as violating the Convention Against Torture. A 2024 user manual for the G.L.O.V.E indicates that the device can cause an increase in blood pressure and changes in heart rhythm. It also states that the "CD3s may increase the affects that can cause sudden death". The manufacturer also states that the gloves should be avoided for subduing elderly or disabled people, small children, and pregnant women-populations that have been subjected to DHS's immigration enforcement abuse.

For the full text of the legislation, CLICK HERE.

For the full text of the letter, CLICK HERE.