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The state AG has introduced a recent reporting form asking citizens to share images and footage of immigration raids throughout New York. This action follows a shortly after a high-profile ICE raid disrupted NYC's Chinatown, prompting large-scale demonstrations.

American Citizens Held In ICE Operation

A US congressman revealed during a Wednesday press conference that four US citizens were taken into custody and kept for "almost a full day" after Tuesday's raid. Demonstrations broke out in the city on consecutive evenings.

"Every New Yorker deserves to live without fear," state officials wrote in a statement.

"For those who saw and documented federal operations yesterday, I ask you to share that evidence with us. We are dedicated to examining these accounts and evaluating any violations of law."

Portal Features

The portal offers options to send photos and videos of the incident, plus a area to note geographic details. When submitting, users must check a option that states that "authorities may use any materials, images, or footage in a legal proceeding, such as in a court case or public report."

Information about the Chinatown Raid

The Manhattan operation, which onlookers say involved more than 50 ICE personnel, happened in a famous district of Manhattan where imitation products and merchandise are regularly available en masse – frequently to tourists.

Recordings of the operation depict numerous covered and weaponized federal agents zip-tying and detaining a person, and shoving away onlookers. Crowds of locals trailed the agents down the sidewalks. An armored truck was also seen moving along the city streets.

Official Reactions

At a midweek briefing organized with the immigrant advocacy group, the congressman, a lawmaker, said that four American citizens were arrested by immigration for about 24 hours and that there were "no circumstances where US citizens should be detained for no reason." He clarified the individuals were released on Wednesday with no accusations made.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not about removing offenders," the congressman said. "This represents a armed campaign to provoke unrest. It is merely a excuse to provoke conflict for federal officials to deploy the armed forces to halt conflict that they have created."

Extensive Outcry

Outrage over the federal action escalated – every NYC mayor hopefuls condemned the operation, along with Governor Kathy Hochul.

"Yet again, the current administration chooses oppressive displays that instill panic, instead of protection. It must stop," one mayoral candidate declared.

NYC community groups expressed outrage also.

"Immigration agents raided the neighborhood with armored transports, covered personnel and riot gear to go after street vendors working to survive. This raid had nothing to do with citizen protection and everything to do with intimidating residents and areas," said the head of a rights organization.

Agency Rules

Official guidelines prohibits the detention of US citizens and the agency has claimed it refrains from arrest or detain US citizens. Nevertheless, investigative journalism has revealed that over 170 US citizens have been detained unlawfully by federal agents since the beginning of the existing leadership.

Recent Pattern

Immigration operations have been cropping up increasingly in NY and across the US recently.

A mid-October raid in midtown Manhattan was the first known raid on an housing center of the existing leadership. Protests against immigration enforcement are widespread as are claims of aggression and cruel conditions.

Latest, a document submitted by civil rights groups claimed medical neglect of expectant mothers in detention centers.