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The state AG has rolled out a recent online portal asking citizens to submit photos and videos of immigration raids across the state. This step comes just a shortly after a high-profile ICE raid rattled Manhattan's Chinatown, triggering large-scale demonstrations.

US Citizens Arrested In ICE Operation

A US congressman disclosed during a Wednesday press conference that four citizens were detained and detained for "about 24 hours" following the previous day's operation. Protests erupted in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"Every New Yorker has the right to live without fear," the AG wrote in a announcement.

"For those who saw and recorded federal operations recently, I urge you to share that material with my office. We are dedicated to reviewing these submissions and evaluating any legal breaches."

Form Details

The platform offers options to send images and video footage of the incident, along with a field to note location information. When submitting, individuals must check a option that acknowledges that "the attorney general might employ any materials, images, or footage in a official report, such as in a legal proceeding or official statement."

Details of the ICE Action

The enforcement action, which observers say involved over fifty government officers, happened in a famous district of NYC where fake products and merchandise are regularly available en masse – often to visitors.

Recordings of the operation reveal several covered and weaponized federal agents securing and holding a man, and pushing back onlookers. Throngs of New Yorkers followed the officers along the roads. An armored truck was also seen moving along the urban roads.

Political Response

In a Wednesday press conference held with the immigrant advocacy group, Representative Goldman, a lawmaker, said that four American citizens were detained by ICE for about 24 hours and that there were "no situations where US citizens should be taken for unjustly." He noted the persons were freed on the following day with no charges filed.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not about removing offenders," the congressman said. "This is a armed campaign to create conflict. It is simply a pretext to incite violence for federal officials to bring in the military to stop conflict that they have created."

Widespread Condemnation

Outrage over the immigration operation quickly spread – every political contenders condemned the raid, along with Governor Kathy Hochul.

"Repeatedly, the federal government opts for oppressive displays that instill panic, not safety. It has to end," a political candidate wrote.

New York City advocacy organizations spoke out as well.

"Immigration agents targeted Chinatown in NYC with armored transports, hooded officers and riot gear to target small merchants working to survive. This raid had no relation to citizen protection and was entirely about intimidating residents and communities," remarked the leader of a major immigrant coalition.

Official Guidelines

Agency rules forbids the holding of citizens and the organization has stated it refrains from take into custody citizens. However, investigative journalism has revealed that numerous American nationals have been taken illegally by immigration authorities since the start of the present government.

Ongoing Trend

Enforcement actions have been cropping up increasingly in the state and across the US lately.

A mid-October raid in the city center was the earliest reported action on an housing center of the existing leadership. Protests targeting ICE are ubiquitous along with accusations of violence and inhumane treatment.

Most recently, a document submitted by civil rights groups alleged inadequate care of expectant mothers in detention centers.