US Immigration and Customs Enforcement is seeking to spend up to $20 million on electrified gloves designed to deliver painful shocks during physical encounters. The proposed purchase has prompted civil liberties concerns because the devices could be used discreetly and would expand the agency’s force options in immigration enforcement.

The Department of Homeland Security notice says an unspecified number of CTG 5 gloves must be delivered by March 2027. The manufacturer says they can produce up to 380 volts and are intended to gain compliance quickly; its guidance warns against prolonged use, multiple gloves on one person, and use on children, elderly, pregnant or disabled people. Similar devices have reportedly been used by some police departments and jails, while DHS gave no immediate comment and the ACLU criticised the plans.