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The state attorney general has introduced a recent digital platform asking citizens to share photos and videos of ICE operations throughout New York. This step comes just a shortly after a major enforcement action rattled Manhattan's Chinatown, prompting widespread protests.

American Citizens Held During Raid

A congressional representative announced during a midweek briefing that four US citizens were taken into custody and detained for "nearly 24 hours" after the enforcement action. Demonstrations broke out in the city on consecutive evenings.

"Each citizen has the right to exist without intimidation," state officials wrote in a announcement.

"Anyone who observed and captured federal operations yesterday, I urge you to provide that evidence with us. We are dedicated to reviewing these submissions and determining any violations of law."

Portal Features

The form includes spaces to submit visual evidence of the raid, plus a area to indicate location information. When submitting, submitters must check a box that acknowledges that "the office could utilize any documents, photographs, or videos in a public document, such as in a court case or official statement."

Details of the Chinatown Raid

The enforcement action, which onlookers say included more than 50 government officers, happened in a famous district of NYC where counterfeit handbags, accessories, jewelry and merchandise are commonly traded widely – typically to visitors.

Videos of Tuesday's raid depict several masked and armed personnel securing and holding a man, and shoving away onlookers. Crowds of locals followed the personnel along the roads. An military-style transport was observed moving along the Manhattan avenues.

Official Reactions

At a news conference featuring the New York immigrant rights coalition, Representative Goldman, a Democratic representative, stated that four American citizens were arrested by immigration for about 24 hours and that there were "no circumstances where nationals should be taken for without cause." He noted the citizens were freed on Wednesday with no legal action taken.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not to take criminals off the street," he remarked. "This represents a armed campaign to create conflict. It is purely a justification to incite violence for federal officials to deploy the troops to stop violence that they have created."

Extensive Outcry

Fury over the federal action quickly spread – all three NYC mayor hopefuls denounced the raid, including the state leader.

"Yet again, the federal government selects authoritarian theatrics that generate terror, rather than security. It has to end," one mayoral candidate declared.

NYC immigrant rights groups voiced concern also.

"ICE raided Manhattan's Chinatown with tactical trucks, hooded officers and riot gear to focus on street vendors working to survive. This raid had no relation to citizen protection and everything to do with frightening communities and areas," stated the president of a rights organization.

Agency Rules

Official guidelines bans the arrest of American nationals and the bureau has claimed it refrains from arrest or detain American nationals. Nevertheless, independent reporting has discovered that over 170 US citizens have been held against their will by federal agents during the period of the existing leadership.

Ongoing Trend

ICE raids have been rising in frequency in the state and around the country this year.

An October operation in midtown Manhattan was the initial documented operation on an refuge facility of the current administration. Demonstrations opposing immigration enforcement are commonplace including accusations of violence and inhumane treatment.

Most recently, a letter submitted by legal entities claimed medical neglect of women with child in government custody.