White House border czar Tom Homan has defended Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) plan to equip officers with gloves capable of delivering electric shocks, asserting they are a necessary tool to help agents de-escalate confrontations and avoid the use of deadly force. Homan stated in an interview on "Fox & Friends" that these devices provide an additional option for officers when an individual is non-compliant, emphasizing that resorting to lethal force is not the first step in such situations.
This marks the Trump administration's initial public defense of ICE's proposed $20 million expenditure for thousands of "conductive distraction and de-escalation devices." The technology, known as the G.L.O.V.E. (Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter), is manufactured by Compliant Technologies LLC and has seen use in some local jails and police departments.
The initiative has drawn significant criticism from civil rights organizations, members of Congress, and use-of-force experts, who point to a history of aggressive tactics by ICE agents during the administration's immigration crackdown. Since last year, at least six individuals have been fatally shot by immigration enforcement agents.
Homan argued that the G.L.O.V.E. devices could help prevent such tragic outcomes by offering a less lethal alternative, comparable to Tasers or pepper spray, for volatile situations in the field and detention centers.
While the gloves are not yet deployed, ICE is still developing training protocols and policy guidelines. Nelson County Jailer Justin Hall in Bardstown, Kentucky, shared his facility's experience with the gloves, which they began using four years ago. Hall described them as a safer alternative to Tasers, noting that the shocks are intense but do not cause incapacitation, permanent marks, or burns. He stated that the gloves have been used sparingly but are effective as an initial deterrent when de-escalation fails, leading to compliance most of the time. "It's been a great tool for our facility," Hall said.
However, criminologist Geoffrey Alpert, who studies police use-of-force, advised caution. He suggested that the devices require broader study to establish proper usage guidelines for departments. Alpert also recommended that ICE begin with a smaller purchase, given the limited understanding of the technology's application. He expressed concern that officers might not be adequately trained in de-escalation or non-enforcement interaction strategies, unlike many local police officers, making "user error almost predictable."