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The state attorney general has rolled out a new digital platform asking citizens to share images and footage of federal immigration enforcement around the state. This step follows a shortly after a high-profile enforcement action disrupted Manhattan's Chinatown, triggering widespread protests.

US Citizens Held During ICE Operation

A lawmaker disclosed during a midweek briefing that four citizens were arrested and held for "about 24 hours" after the previous day's operation. Rallies occurred in NYC on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"All New York residents is entitled to reside free from terror," the attorney general stated in a announcement.

"Anyone who observed and documented immigration enforcement during the raid, I urge you to submit that footage with my office. We are pledged to assessing these accounts and determining any violations of law."

Submission Process

The platform provides spaces to send photos and videos of the incident, plus a section to indicate location information. Before submitting, users must check a option that acknowledges that "the attorney general might employ any documents, photographs, or videos in a official report, including in a legal proceeding or public report."

Information about the Chinatown Raid

The enforcement action, which witnesses say featured dozens of federal agents, happened in a popular district of Manhattan where fake purses, items, goods and merchandise are regularly available en masse – often to visitors.

Footage of the operation depict numerous hooded and equipped federal agents zip-tying and detaining a individual, and forcing aside onlookers. Throngs of New Yorkers pursued the officers down the sidewalks. An military-style transport was noticed moving along the urban roads.

Official Reactions

In a Wednesday press conference featuring the New York immigrant rights coalition, the congressman, a Democrat, announced that four American citizens were taken by federal agents for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no circumstances where nationals should be taken for unjustly." He noted the persons were let go on the following day with no charges filed.

"The goal is evident here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," he stated. "This is a military-style operation to incite tension. It is purely a pretext to incite violence for the government to utilize the troops to prevent conflict that they have created."

Widespread Condemnation

Outrage over the immigration operation escalated – all three political contenders condemned the raid, including the state leader.

"Repeatedly, the federal government chooses heavy-handed tactics that generate terror, instead of protection. It must stop," one mayoral candidate declared.

The city's advocacy organizations spoke out also.

"ICE targeted Manhattan's Chinatown with armored transports, covered personnel and tactical gear to go after small merchants trying to make a living. This action had no relation to public safety and everything to do with terrorizing immigrant families and communities," said the head of a rights organization.

ICE Policies

Official guidelines prohibits the detention of US citizens and the agency has stated it will not take into custody citizens. Yet, external research has found that over 170 American nationals have been detained unlawfully by ICE during the period of the present government.

Current Situation

ICE raids have been rising in frequency in the state and around the country lately.

A mid-October raid in the city center was the first known raid on an refuge facility of the present government. Demonstrations against federal operations are ubiquitous as are allegations of violence and abusive practices.

Most recently, a document filed by civil rights groups alleged inadequate care of expectant mothers in ICE facilities.