Federal judge blocks New York law requiring ICE agents to wear ID
A federal judge has intervened to halt New York state’s attempt to impose new regulations on federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. These proposed rules aimed to require ICE officers to prominently display identification, but the court’s decision represents a significant legal win for the agency. This development was highlighted by Fox News national correspondent Bryan Llenas, focusing on the state’s unsuccessful efforts to reveal the identities of federal officers. This ruling coincides with reports from federal sources indicating that ICE conducted over 51,000 arrests in July alone.
Meanwhile, tension is escalating as New York’s Democratic leadership considers legal action against ICE in response to the agency’s potential acquisition of controversial new equipment. This equipment includes gloves that can administer an electric shock, drawing concern from state officials.
Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James voiced concerns on Wednesday, warning that recent state laws might subject ICE officers to legal risks if these electric shock devices are deployed within New York’s borders.
This caution arises as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reportedly progressing towards purchasing these devices, identified in federal procurement documents as “conductive distraction and de-escalation devices.” ICE may invest up to $20 million to integrate this equipment into their operations.
Federal agents are seen walking in uniform. (John Moore/Getty Images)
The devices are known as G.L.O.V.E.s, short for Generated Low Output Voltage Emitters, and are designed to deliver an electrical charge through contact with a person.
“You cannot trample on someone’s constitutional rights and you cannot cause them undo harm. You will be held accountable,” Hochul said when asked about the electric shock gloves. “[The protections] should be in effect here.”
James said her office is reviewing the DHS proposal and examining whether use of the technology would violate New York law.
The proposal “appears to be in violation of a number of laws,” James said, including the State Administrative Procedure Act.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul speaks at a press conference in Manhattan in New York City, Feb. 20, 2025. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters)
James also indicated that her office would pursue legal action against DHS if a person in New York were injured by the devices.
“You can best be assured of that,” James said.
ICE defended its process for evaluating equipment in a statement to News Media, saying the agency considers officers’ safety and existing law enforcement standards when assessing new technology.
“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,” a DHS spokesperson wrote. “Every decision is made with careful consideration and appropriately reviewed to ensure that any technology ICE utilizes is consistent with all applicable law enforcement policies and standards.”
New York Attorney General Letitia James holds a press conference in the Manhattan borough of New York City, Feb. 16, 2024. (David Dee Delgado/Reuters)
They added: “Our officers are highly trained in de-escalation tactics and regularly receive ongoing use of force training. The latest ICE use of force policy is available here.”
The gloves are manufactured by Compliant Technologies, a company based in Lexington, Kentucky. Demonstration videos released by the company show the devices being used on test subjects, who fall to the ground after physical contact with a person wearing the gloves.
Compliant Technologies founder and CEO Jeff Niklaus declined to discuss the potential federal purchase when contacted by The Associated Press.
“Unfortunately, we are unable to speak on this subject,” Niklaus wrote in an email to the Associated Press.
The clash over ICE equipment comes as Hochul and James are also seeking to curtail cooperation between local law enforcement agencies and federal immigration authorities.
New York law enforcement agencies have until Aug. 24 to end civil immigration enforcement agreements with ICE or potentially face legal consequences.
James said a dozen law enforcement agencies in the state maintained such agreements as of July, including Nassau County.
News Media reached out to Hochul’s office and Compliant Technologies for comment.