Federal judge blocks New York law requiring ICE agents to wear identification cards

A federal judge has put a stop to a New York state law mandating that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents wear identification cards. This ruling is a notable win for ICE, halting attempts at the state level to make the identities of federal agents public. It’s worth mentioning that, according to federal reports, ICE made over 51,000 arrests in July alone.

In another development, New York Democratic leaders have hinted at potential legal measures against ICE regarding a new item the agency is looking to use: gloves capable of delivering electric shocks. On Wednesday, Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James expressed that recent state laws could hold ICE agents legally responsible for using these devices within New York.

This comes as the Department of Homeland Security seeks to acquire thousands of items labeled in procurement records as “conducted distraction and de-escalation devices,” with plans to spend up to $20 million on them.

The device, known as GLOVE (Generated Low Output Voltage Emitters), is designed to administer electrical charges through skin contact.

When asked about these gloves, Hochul emphasized, “You can’t trample on someone’s constitutional rights, you can’t harm them. They will be held accountable.” Her remarks indicated a desire to ensure that protections are enforced in the state.

James mentioned that her office is evaluating the DHS’s proposal to determine if it violates any New York state laws. She pointed out that the proposal seems to contravene various legal statutes, including the state’s Administrative Procedures Act.

Furthermore, James noted that her office would take legal steps against DHS if any injuries arise from the use of these devices in New York.

In response to these concerns, ICE defended its assessment process for new equipment, asserting that it aims to ensure the safety of its officers while abiding by law enforcement standards. A DHS spokesperson stated: “ICE continually assesses what its agents need to safely apprehend individuals who have committed crimes, and every decision is carefully reviewed.”

The gloves are produced by Compliant Technologies, a company located in Lexington, Kentucky. A demonstration video by the company shows the device in action, where a person collapses after touching someone wearing the gloves. The founder of Compliant Technologies, Jeff Nicklaus, refrained from commenting on possible federal acquisition deals.

The discourse surrounding this equipment coincides with Hochul and James’s efforts to limit the collaboration between local law enforcement and federal immigration agencies. New York law enforcement agencies have until August 24 to end their private immigration enforcement agreements with ICE or face legal repercussions. James indicated that as of July, over a dozen law enforcement agencies in New York still maintained such agreements.