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New York state attorney general has introduced a fresh reporting form asking residents to submit visual evidence of ICE operations across New York. This action follows a day after a high-profile enforcement action shook Chinatown in Manhattan, sparking widespread demonstrations.

US Citizens Arrested In Raid

A congressional representative disclosed during a Wednesday press conference that four US citizens were detained and kept for "about 24 hours" after the enforcement action. Protests occurred in NYC on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"All New York residents deserves to live without fear," the AG wrote in a release.

"For those who saw and captured ICE activity yesterday, I urge you to share that footage with the authorities. We are committed to assessing these reports and investigating any legal breaches."

Submission Process

The platform provides spaces to send photos and videos of the raid, as well as a section to specify where it occurred. When submitting, submitters must mark a option that acknowledges that "the attorney general may use any documents, photographs, or videos in a public document, such as in a court case or public report."

Details of the Chinatown Raid

The Manhattan operation, which witnesses say featured over fifty ICE personnel, happened in a well-known district of NYC where fake products and merchandise are sold daily en masse – often to sightseers.

Recordings of the incident depict several hooded and equipped personnel restraining and arresting a person, and shoving away onlookers. Crowds of New Yorkers pursued the officers down the sidewalks. An armored truck was also seen traveling down the city streets.

Political Response

In a news conference organized with the rights organization, congressman Dan Goldman, a lawmaker, said that four US citizens were taken by federal agents for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no circumstances where nationals should be arrested for without cause." He said the persons were let go on Wednesday with no charges filed.

"The goal is evident here. It is not to take criminals off the street," he stated. "This constitutes a militarized effort to provoke unrest. It is merely a excuse to provoke conflict for this administration to deploy the troops to halt unrest that they themselves caused."

Broad Criticism

Fury over the federal action rapidly grew – every political contenders condemned the incident, along with the state leader.

"Yet again, the current administration opts for heavy-handed tactics that instill panic, instead of protection. It must stop," a contender stated.

The city's community groups spoke out as well.

"Federal officers descended on Manhattan's Chinatown with tactical trucks, hooded officers and protective equipment to focus on street vendors trying to make a living. This action had no relation to community security and was entirely about terrorizing immigrant families and communities," said the leader of a advocacy group.

Agency Rules

ICE policy bans the holding of citizens and the organization has stated it does not apprehend American nationals. Nevertheless, investigative journalism has revealed that numerous American nationals have been held against their will by immigration authorities since the beginning of the current administration.

Current Situation

ICE raids have been rising in frequency in New York and across the US recently.

An October operation in midtown Manhattan was the first known raid on an refuge facility of the present government. Demonstrations targeting ICE are commonplace as are allegations of force and cruel conditions.

Most recently, a document provided by legal entities claimed medical neglect of pregnant women in detention centers.