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The state AG has rolled out a new reporting form encouraging residents to share images and footage of federal immigration enforcement across New York. This step follows a day after a significant enforcement action shook Chinatown in Manhattan, triggering large-scale outcry.

American Citizens Detained In ICE Operation

A congressional representative disclosed during a midweek briefing that four American citizens were arrested and held for "about 24 hours" following Tuesday's raid. Protests occurred in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"Every New Yorker is entitled to reside free from terror," the attorney general stated in a release.

"If you witnessed and documented ICE activity yesterday, I urge you to provide that footage with the authorities. We are committed to examining these submissions and evaluating any wrongdoings."

Portal Features

The form provides fields to upload images and video footage of the raid, as well as a field to indicate where it occurred. When submitting, individuals must check a option that states that "the attorney general might employ any documents, photographs, or videos in a public document, such as in a legal proceeding or government document."

Information about the ICE Action

The Chinatown raid, which onlookers say featured dozens of government officers, happened in a popular district of the city where fake handbags, accessories, jewelry and additional items are sold daily widely – typically to visitors.

Footage of Tuesday's raid depict multiple hooded and equipped officers restraining and arresting a individual, and pushing back bystanders. Throngs of residents trailed the personnel along the roads. An armored truck was observed traveling down the urban roads.

Political Response

During a Wednesday press conference featuring the rights organization, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democratic representative, stated that four US citizens were detained by ICE for almost a full day and that there were "no situations where US citizens should be taken for unjustly." He said the citizens were freed on Wednesday with no legal action taken.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not about removing offenders," the congressman stated. "This constitutes a militarized effort to provoke unrest. It is merely a excuse to generate turmoil for this administration to bring in the troops to stop conflict that they initiated."

Extensive Outcry

Fury over the immigration operation quickly spread – each of the political contenders criticized the operation, along with the state leader.

"Once again, the current administration chooses heavy-handed tactics that instill panic, instead of protection. It has to end," a political candidate stated.

NYC immigrant rights groups expressed outrage too.

"ICE targeted Chinatown in NYC with tactical trucks, masked agents and tactical gear to target small merchants trying to make a living. This action had no relation to public safety and focused completely on frightening communities and communities," said the president of a major immigrant coalition.

ICE Policies

ICE policy bans the detention of US citizens and the organization has claimed it will not take into custody US citizens. Nevertheless, investigative journalism has found that numerous US citizens have been held against their will by immigration authorities since the start of the current administration.

Current Situation

Immigration operations have been becoming more common in New York and across the US this year.

An October operation in central NYC was the first known raid on an housing center of the existing leadership. Protests targeting immigration enforcement are ubiquitous along with accusations of aggression and inhumane treatment.

Most recently, a letter filed by advocacy organizations stated healthcare failures of pregnant women in detention centers.