ICE eyes $20M purchase of electric shock gloves as Hochul warns of legal consequences

New York's Democratic leaders are threatening potential legal action against U.S.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers over a new piece of equipment ICE could soon add to its arsenal: gloves capable of delivering an electric shock.

Gov.

Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James said Wednesday that recently enacted state protections could expose ICE officers to legal consequences if the devices are used in New York.

The warning comes as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) moves toward acquiring thousands of devices described in federal procurement records as "conductive distraction and de-escalation devices." ICE could spend up to $20 million on the equipment.

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S IMMIGRATION PUSH FUELS ICE'S BIGGEST ARREST MONTH IN AGENCY HISTORY The new devices are known as the G.L.O.V.E., short for Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter, and they 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.

FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS NEW YORK LAW BANNING ICE AGENTS FROM WEARING MASKS 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 Fox News Digital, 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.