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The state attorney general has rolled out a fresh online portal asking locals to provide photos and videos of ICE operations around the state. This step follows a day after a high-profile immigration operation rattled NYC's Chinatown, triggering widespread outcry.

American Citizens Arrested During Raid

A US congressman announced during a midweek briefing that four American citizens were taken into custody and detained for "almost a full day" following the enforcement action. Rallies erupted in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"Each citizen has the right to live without fear," the AG wrote in a statement.

"For those who saw and recorded ICE activity recently, I urge you to share that material with my office. We are committed to examining these reports and evaluating any wrongdoings."

Submission Process

The platform includes fields to send visual evidence of the incident, along with a field to specify location information. Before submitting, submitters must tick a option that states that "the attorney general might employ any documents, photographs, or videos in a official report, such as in a lawsuit or public report."

Information about the Chinatown Raid

The Chinatown raid, which witnesses say included over fifty ICE personnel, took place in a popular district of NYC where fake handbags, accessories, jewelry and merchandise are sold daily en masse – often to tourists.

Recordings of the incident show multiple covered and weaponized personnel restraining and arresting a person, and shoving away bystanders. Masses of locals trailed the personnel through the streets. An armored truck was also seen rolling through the Manhattan avenues.

Political Response

During a news conference featuring the immigrant advocacy group, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democrat, announced that four nationals were detained by ICE for about 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where US citizens should be detained for unjustly." He clarified the persons were freed on Wednesday with no charges filed.

"The goal is evident here. It is not to take criminals off the street," Goldman remarked. "This is a armed campaign to incite tension. It is simply a pretext to generate turmoil for the government to deploy the armed forces to halt conflict that they have created."

Widespread Condemnation

Anger over the immigration operation escalated – all three mayoral candidates denounced the raid, as did NY's governor.

"Repeatedly, the federal government selects heavy-handed tactics that generate terror, rather than security. It needs to cease," a contender wrote.

The city's community groups expressed outrage also.

"ICE raided Chinatown in NYC with military-style vehicles, hooded officers and tactical gear to focus on street vendors attempting to earn income. This raid had no connection to community security and focused completely on frightening communities and areas," said the head of a major immigrant coalition.

Agency Rules

Official guidelines bans the detention of US citizens and the agency has stated it does not apprehend American nationals. However, external research has discovered that more than 170 US citizens have been held against their will by ICE since the start of the present government.

Ongoing Trend

Immigration operations have been cropping up increasingly in New York and nationwide this year.

An October operation in central NYC was the initial documented operation on an immigrant shelter of the current administration. Demonstrations against ICE are ubiquitous along with allegations of aggression and inhumane treatment.

Most recently, a submission filed by advocacy organizations alleged healthcare failures of women with child in government custody.