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The state AG has rolled out a new online portal urging citizens to share images and footage of immigration raids throughout the state. This move follows a shortly after a high-profile enforcement action disrupted Chinatown in Manhattan, triggering mass outcry.

American Citizens Arrested During Raid

A US congressman announced during a news conference that four citizens were taken into custody and held for "almost a full day" after the previous day's operation. Protests occurred in the city on consecutive evenings.

"Each citizen is entitled to live without fear," the AG wrote in a announcement.

"If you witnessed and documented ICE activity yesterday, I urge you to share that material with my office. We are pledged to assessing these reports and evaluating any legal breaches."

Form Details

The platform provides fields to submit images and video footage of the incident, as well as a area to note location information. Prior to sending, users must tick a checkbox that states that "authorities could utilize any evidence provided in a public document, including in a lawsuit or government document."

Information about the Manhattan Operation

The enforcement action, which onlookers say featured more than 50 government officers, took place in a popular area of the city where fake handbags, accessories, jewelry and other goods are sold daily in large quantities – often to sightseers.

Recordings of the operation depict numerous hooded and equipped federal agents zip-tying and detaining a man, and pushing back onlookers. Masses of New Yorkers trailed the personnel through the streets. An armored truck was also seen rolling through the Manhattan avenues.

Official Reactions

At a midweek briefing held with the rights organization, Representative Goldman, a Democrat, said that four nationals were taken by federal agents for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no circumstances where nationals should be arrested for no reason." He noted the individuals were released on Wednesday with no legal action taken.

"The intent is obvious here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," Goldman stated. "This is a military-style operation to provoke unrest. It is simply a pretext to generate turmoil for federal officials to bring in the troops to prevent conflict that they initiated."

Extensive Outcry

Outrage over the ICE raid quickly spread – every mayoral candidates criticized the raid, including the state leader.

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

New York City advocacy organizations voiced concern also.

"ICE descended on the neighborhood with tactical trucks, covered personnel and tactical gear to focus on small merchants working to survive. This action had no connection to public safety and focused completely on terrorizing immigrant families and areas," remarked the leader of a major immigrant coalition.

Official Guidelines

ICE policy forbids the arrest of American nationals and the bureau has said it refrains from arrest or detain citizens. Nevertheless, external research has revealed that more than 170 US citizens have been held against their will by ICE since the beginning of the present government.

Recent Pattern

ICE raids have been cropping up increasingly in New York and nationwide recently.

An October operation in midtown Manhattan was the first known raid on an refuge facility of the existing leadership. Protests against ICE are widespread along with accusations of aggression and abusive practices.

Latest, a submission submitted by legal entities alleged healthcare failures of women with child in ICE facilities.