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The state AG has introduced a fresh online portal asking citizens to provide images and footage of ICE operations across New York. This move follows a shortly after a significant immigration operation disrupted Chinatown in Manhattan, triggering widespread protests.

US Citizens Arrested In Enforcement Action

A US congressman revealed during a Wednesday press conference that four US citizens were arrested and held for "almost a full day" after the previous day's operation. Protests erupted in NYC on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"Each citizen deserves to reside free from terror," the attorney general wrote in a announcement.

"For those who saw and recorded federal operations recently, I ask you to provide that material with the authorities. We are committed to examining these reports and determining any wrongdoings."

Form Details

The platform offers fields to upload visual evidence of the operation, as well as a section to specify where it occurred. When submitting, individuals must tick a box that states that "the office may use any materials, images, or footage in a legal proceeding, including in a court case or public report."

Details of the Chinatown Raid

The Chinatown raid, which witnesses say featured dozens of federal agents, occurred in a famous area of the city where fake products and merchandise are commonly traded en masse – typically to visitors.

Footage of Tuesday's raid depict several masked and armed federal agents zip-tying and detaining a man, and shoving away onlookers. Crowds of locals followed the agents down the sidewalks. An military-style transport was noticed traveling down the Manhattan avenues.

Leadership Statements

During a news conference featuring the immigrant advocacy group, Representative Goldman, a lawmaker, announced that four American citizens were detained by ICE for almost a full day and that there were "no conditions where four American citizens should be taken for unjustly." He noted the individuals were freed on Wednesday with no charges filed.

"The goal is evident here. It is not about removing offenders," Goldman said. "This is a military-style operation to incite tension. It is purely a excuse to generate turmoil for federal officials to utilize the armed forces to prevent unrest that they have created."

Extensive Outcry

Outrage over the federal action quickly spread – all three NYC mayor hopefuls criticized the raid, along with NY's governor.

"Repeatedly, the federal government chooses authoritarian theatrics that create fear, instead of protection. It must stop," one mayoral candidate stated.

NYC immigrant rights groups spoke out too.

"Immigration agents raided the neighborhood with tactical trucks, covered personnel and protective equipment to target street vendors working to survive. This action had nothing to do with public safety and was entirely about frightening communities and neighborhoods," remarked the leader of a rights organization.

ICE Policies

Official guidelines bans the arrest of American nationals and the agency has stated it will not arrest or detain US citizens. Nevertheless, independent reporting has revealed that numerous American nationals have been held against their will by ICE since the beginning of the current administration.

Ongoing Trend

Immigration operations have been cropping up increasingly in the state and across the US recently.

An October operation in central NYC was the first known raid on an refuge facility of the current administration. Demonstrations targeting federal operations are ubiquitous including allegations of force and abusive practices.

Recently, a letter submitted by advocacy organizations claimed medical neglect of expectant mothers in ICE facilities.