House Democrats urge DHS and ICE to stop procurement of electric shock gloves for immigration agents

House Homeland Security Committee Democrats are pressing Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to halt U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s plan to procure “electric shock gloves,” according to a report from The Hill. The lawmakers said the Department should stop the acquisition before it is deployed, arguing that the technology could increase the risk of harm during encounters involving immigration enforcement.

The request was directed at DHS leadership after ICE published a notice earlier in August outlining its plan to acquire the gloves, The Hill reported. In their appeal, the Democrats urged Mullin to “halt this procurement before more innocent lives are lost,” framing the issue as one of when and how ICE should be authorized to use escalating tools during enforcement operations.

The Hill said the lawmakers took the step through oversight channels tied to the Homeland Security Committee, which has jurisdiction over DHS programs including ICE. The committee role includes requesting information from agencies and seeking changes to agency actions when members believe policies and acquisitions raise safety or accountability concerns.

In their letter, as described by The Hill, the Democrats focused on the gloves as an enforcement equipment purchase that would affect how officers may subdue or restrain individuals in the field. The lawmakers’ position contrasted with ICE’s procurement notice, which the report characterized as reflecting the agency’s intent to move forward with the acquisition plan.

Public debate over law enforcement tools often turns on oversight, training requirements, and the scope of authorized use. In this case, the central dispute reported by The Hill is whether DHS should pause the procurement while lawmakers seek assurances about safeguards and the likelihood of injury tied to the device’s use during encounters.

The Hill’s report did not provide procurement contract values, quantities, or timelines beyond noting that ICE published its notice earlier this month. It also did not indicate whether DHS or ICE has agreed to suspend the purchase or whether the gloves have been fielded in any capacity.

Even if the issue remains at the administrative and procurement stage, committee actions can affect implementation timelines. If DHS responds to the request, it could include additional review of the procurement, changes to deployment plans, or provision of documentation to the committee regarding policy, training, and internal controls.

The matter is likely to remain in focus as oversight efforts continue. A response from DHS would also clarify whether the procurement is being delayed, revised, or allowed to proceed as originally described in ICE’s notice, according to the reporting on the Democrats’ request.