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New York State Leaders Threaten Legal Action Over ICE’s Potential Use of Electric Shock Gloves
New York’s top Democratic officials are sounding the alarm over a new tool that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may soon deploy: gloves capable of delivering electric shocks. Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James warned Wednesday that the use of such devices in New York could lead to legal consequences under recently enacted state protections.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reportedly moving forward with plans to purchase thousands of these “conductive distraction and de-escalation devices,” with federal procurement documents indicating a potential expenditure of up to $20 million.
Known as the G.L.O.V.E. (Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter), these gloves are designed to administer an electrical charge upon contact, potentially incapacitating individuals. Videos from the manufacturer, Compliant Technologies of Lexington, Kentucky, demonstrate the gloves’ ability to knock test subjects to the ground.
Gov. Hochul emphasized the importance of constitutional rights and expressed firm opposition to the use of these devices in New York, stating, “You cannot trample on someone’s constitutional rights, and you cannot cause them undue harm.
You will be held accountable.” Attorney General James added that her office is reviewing the DHS proposal to determine whether the gloves’ use would violate state laws, including the State Administrative Procedure Act.
She also made clear that legal action would be pursued if any New York resident were harmed by the devices.
In response, ICE defended its evaluation process, underscoring that officer safety and law enforcement standards are key considerations in adopting new technology. A DHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital, “ICE is constantly assessing the needs of our officers in the field to ensure they have the tools and equipment necessary to safely arrest and remove criminal illegal aliens from our country.” The statement also noted that decisions undergo careful review to comply with all applicable policies.
This controversy unfolds amid ongoing tensions between New York state officials and federal immigration enforcement. Hochul and James have been pushing to end civil immigration enforcement agreements between local law enforcement and ICE by an August 24 deadline, warning of legal repercussions for agencies that fail to comply. As of July, about a dozen agencies, including Nassau County, still maintain such agreements.
Compliant Technologies’ CEO Jeff Niklaus declined to comment on the potential federal purchase when contacted by The Associated Press.
The debate over ICE’s adoption of electric shock gloves highlights the broader clash between state-level protections and federal immigration enforcement efforts, reflecting the complex dynamics playing out in New York and beyond.