House Democrats on the Homeland Security Committee are calling for Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to abandon plans to equip immigration agents with electric shock gloves, urging the department to halt the procurement before more innocent lives are lost. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement published a notice earlier this month outlining the planned purchase of the equipment.
The Democratic lawmakers sent a letter to Mullin expressing concerns about the devices. The committee members argued that equipping agents with such equipment raises serious questions about agent conduct and the treatment of individuals in immigration custody.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican committee members have defended ICE's operational needs. A spokesperson for the committee's Republican majority noted that immigration agents often face dangerous situations in the field and deserve access to equipment that protects their safety. The argument centers on agent protection and ensuring officers can perform their duties without undue risk.
Supporters of the procurement argue that similar equipment is used by law enforcement agencies across the country for security purposes. They contend that proper training and oversight protocols would govern any use of such devices, distinguishing between appropriate application and abuse.
What the Left Is Saying
Rep. Bennie Thompson, who leads the Homeland Security Committee Democrats, said the procurement represents a dangerous escalation in enforcement tactics. "This equipment has no place in civil immigration enforcement," Thompson wrote in the letter. The Democrats called on ICE to reconsider the purchase and explore alternative training methods for agents.
Immigration advocacy groups echoed the committee's concerns. Organizations including the American Immigration Lawyers Association have raised questions about accountability measures tied to such equipment. The groups argue that shock-inducing devices could be misused and that existing de-escalation training should be strengthened instead.
What the Numbers Show
ICE currently employs approximately 6,000 deportation officers and agents who carry out immigration enforcement activities nationwide. The agency has not disclosed the cost of the proposed glove procurement or how many units it plans to purchase. DHS budget documents show ICE's operational expenses totaled $8.1 billion in fiscal year 2025.
The use of conducted energy devices by law enforcement agencies has been studied extensively. According to data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, approximately 17,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide have used such devices as part of their use-of-force frameworks since federal guidelines were established in 2009.
The Bottom Line
The Democratic letter marks a rare public challenge to DHS operational decisions by members of the oversight committee. Secretary Mullin has not publicly responded to the request, and ICE officials have declined to provide additional details about the procurement timeline or selection criteria for the equipment vendors.
What happens next: The committee could hold a hearing on the matter if Democrats request one and secure majority support. Separately, appropriators could include language restricting funds for such purchases in future DHS spending bills. Watch for Mullin's formal response and whether ICE proceeds with the acquisition despite congressional objections.