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The state AG has rolled out a fresh reporting form encouraging residents to provide photos and videos of immigration raids around New York. This action follows a day after a significant immigration operation disrupted Manhattan's Chinatown, triggering large-scale protests.

American Citizens Arrested In ICE Operation

A lawmaker announced during a midweek briefing that four citizens were detained and held for "about 24 hours" following the enforcement action. Protests erupted in New York on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

"Every New Yorker has the right to live without fear," state officials stated in a statement.

"Anyone who observed and captured ICE activity recently, I encourage you to submit that evidence with the authorities. We are pledged to examining these accounts and evaluating any legal breaches."

Portal Features

The platform includes spaces to upload images and video footage of the operation, plus a field to indicate location information. Before submitting, users must tick a box that acknowledges that "authorities may use any evidence provided in a official report, such as in a court case or public report."

Information about the Manhattan Operation

The Manhattan operation, which witnesses say included dozens of ICE personnel, took place in a popular area of NYC where fake products and merchandise are commonly traded in large quantities – frequently to tourists.

Footage of the incident reveal numerous masked and armed personnel zip-tying and detaining a man, and forcing aside onlookers. Throngs of New Yorkers pursued the personnel through the streets. An armored truck was observed moving along the city streets.

Political Response

In a news conference organized with the New York immigrant rights coalition, the congressman, a Democrat, said that four American citizens were taken by federal agents for about 24 hours and that there were "no situations where four American citizens should be detained for without cause." He clarified the persons were freed on Wednesday with no accusations made.

"The intent is obvious here. It is not to take criminals off the street," Goldman said. "This is a militarized effort to incite tension. It is merely a pretext to provoke conflict for the government to bring in the troops to halt conflict that they themselves caused."

Extensive Outcry

Fury over the federal action rapidly grew – all three NYC mayor hopefuls criticized the operation, along with NY's governor.

"Once again, the federal government selects heavy-handed tactics that generate terror, instead of protection. It needs to cease," one mayoral candidate stated.

New York City advocacy organizations expressed outrage also.

"ICE descended on the neighborhood with tactical trucks, covered personnel and riot gear to go after small merchants working to survive. This action had nothing to do with public safety and everything to do with intimidating residents and neighborhoods," said the president of a advocacy group.

ICE Policies

Agency rules forbids the detention of US citizens and the bureau has said it will not arrest or detain citizens. Nevertheless, independent reporting has found that numerous citizens have been taken illegally by ICE since the beginning of the present government.

Ongoing Trend

Enforcement actions have been cropping up increasingly in NY and across the US recently.

A mid-October raid in midtown Manhattan was the initial documented operation on an housing center of the existing leadership. Rallies targeting immigration enforcement are widespread along with allegations of force and inhumane treatment.

Latest, a submission provided by civil rights groups claimed healthcare failures of expectant mothers in detention centers.