The boots that can apply electric shocks during ICE's immigration activities may promote the use of power and increase the risk of abuse, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

The AP reported that Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) plans to spend up to$ 20 million to buy thousands of these items, known as G. L. O. V. E. , and distribute them to its agents before March.

When a police officer turns on a change that causes horror upon immediate contact with the skin, the gear, manufactured by Compliant Technologies LLC, functions like a regular guard gloves.

The issue, however, lies with the ACLU, who could use it, when, and with what stage of supervision.

ACLU questions ICE's use of shocks

Jenn Rolnick Borchetta, deputy director of public safety projects at the ACLU, questioned whether such a tool is necessary for civil enforcement of immigration laws.

In statements collected by the aforementioned agency, the representative of the organization focused on a particularly controversial feature: the possibility of activating the device with a button that could go unnoticed by the detained person.

"ICE spent the last year showing this country that it is resorting to force too quickly. Now they will be able to deliver electric shocks with the touch of a button that perhaps no one else can see they press," said Rolnick Borchetta.

The criticism goes beyond questioning the device. The ACLU maintains that there is a trust issue regarding how ICE agents would use this new tool.

“Having gloves that can so easily be used to cause terrible pain in encounters is a recipe for harming the population,” the representative added.

This is how the gloves that ICE wants to buy work

The G.L.O.V.E., acronym in English for 'Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter', are designed to generate a painful electrical stimulus when the glove comes into direct contact with the skin.

According to the manufacturer, the agent can activate the system via a switch and use it to get a person to stop resisting. The company maintains that the effect can occur in a matter of seconds.

John Peters, president of the Institute for the Prevention of In-Custody Deaths, explained to the AP that the shock is “immediate and sharp” and compared it to “a bee sting.”

The manufacturer assures that the devices have already been used in some prisons and police departments, mainly in specific transfer situations or when there is physical resistance.

It also establishes restrictions: gloves should not be used as punishment, against people who only show verbal defiance, or against groups considered high risk, such as children, pregnant women, older adults or people with disabilities.

Still, the ACLU believes that ICE's possible use of the tool deserves special scrutiny.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not offer comment on the question. For his part, Jeff Niklaus, CEO of Compliant Technologies, responded: “Unfortunately, we cannot speak on this topic.”

The plan still requires ICE to finalize the acquisition process. But for the ACLU, the debate is already on the table: if agents will have a tool capable of causing pain with the push of a button, the question will be what controls will exist to prevent an immigration detention from ending in unnecessary use of force.

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