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The state AG has launched a new reporting form urging residents to submit photos and videos of federal immigration enforcement throughout New York. This step follows a shortly after a high-profile ICE raid shook Manhattan's Chinatown, triggering mass demonstrations.

American Citizens Held In ICE Operation

A US congressman announced during a news conference that four citizens were arrested and detained for "nearly 24 hours" following the enforcement action. Demonstrations erupted in NYC on consecutive evenings.

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

"Anyone who observed and recorded ICE activity during the raid, I ask you to provide that evidence with my office. We are pledged to assessing these submissions and evaluating any wrongdoings."

Portal Features

The platform offers fields to upload photos and videos of the raid, as well as a section to specify where it occurred. Before submitting, individuals must check a option that confirms that "the office may use any documents, photographs, or videos in a public document, such as in a legal proceeding or government document."

Information about the Manhattan Operation

The enforcement action, which observers say featured over fifty ICE personnel, took place in a popular area of NYC where counterfeit handbags, accessories, jewelry and other goods are commonly traded en masse – often to sightseers.

Videos of Tuesday's raid depict multiple hooded and equipped officers zip-tying and detaining a man, and pushing back onlookers. Masses of locals pursued the officers along the roads. An armored military vehicle was observed traveling down the city streets.

Official Reactions

In a midweek briefing featuring the New York immigrant rights coalition, Representative Goldman, a Democratic representative, said that four nationals were arrested by immigration for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where US citizens should be detained for without cause." He noted the persons were let go on Wednesday with no legal action taken.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not to take criminals off the street," the congressman remarked. "This is a armed campaign to provoke unrest. It is simply a pretext to generate turmoil for this administration to utilize the troops to stop conflict that they have created."

Broad Criticism

Fury over the immigration operation rapidly grew – all three mayoral candidates denounced the incident, along with NY's governor.

"Repeatedly, the federal government opts for heavy-handed tactics that instill panic, rather than security. It has to end," one mayoral candidate wrote.

The city's community groups expressed outrage also.

"Immigration agents targeted Chinatown in NYC with armored transports, hooded officers and protective equipment to target street vendors working to survive. This action had no relation to public safety and focused completely on terrorizing immigrant families and areas," remarked the president of a major immigrant coalition.

Official Guidelines

Agency rules bans the arrest of American nationals and the bureau has claimed it refrains from apprehend American nationals. However, external research has discovered that over 170 American nationals have been held against their will by federal agents since the start of the current administration.

Recent Pattern

Enforcement actions have been cropping up increasingly in New York and around the country this year.

A mid-October raid in central NYC was the earliest reported action on an refuge facility of the current administration. Demonstrations opposing immigration enforcement are ubiquitous including accusations of aggression and inhumane treatment.

Most recently, a letter filed by legal entities alleged healthcare failures of expectant mothers in detention centers.