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New York state AG has launched a new reporting form asking citizens to share images and footage of ICE operations throughout New York. This step comes just a day after a major enforcement action disrupted Chinatown in Manhattan, triggering mass outcry.

US Citizens Detained During ICE Operation

A congressional representative disclosed during a midweek briefing that four citizens were arrested and held for "almost a full day" following Tuesday's raid. Protests broke out in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"Each citizen has the right to reside free from terror," the attorney general declared in a release.

"For those who saw and recorded federal operations yesterday, I urge you to share that evidence with my office. We are committed to examining these submissions and determining any legal breaches."

Portal Features

The portal offers options to submit images and video footage of the incident, along with a section to note location information. When submitting, submitters must check a option that states that "the office may use any evidence provided in a official report, including in a lawsuit or government document."

Details of the ICE Action

The enforcement action, which onlookers say included more than 50 government officers, happened in a well-known neighborhood of Manhattan where imitation purses, items, goods and other goods are regularly available widely – typically to visitors.

Recordings of the operation reveal multiple masked and armed officers zip-tying and detaining a person, and pushing back onlookers. Throngs of residents trailed the personnel along the roads. An armored truck was noticed moving along the Manhattan avenues.

Leadership Statements

In a news conference organized with the New York immigrant rights coalition, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democrat, announced that four American citizens were taken by federal agents for almost a full day and that there were "no circumstances where nationals should be taken for no reason." He clarified the persons were freed on Wednesday with no charges filed.

"The goal is evident here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," the congressman remarked. "This is a military-style operation to incite tension. It is simply a pretext to provoke conflict for the government to utilize the armed forces to stop conflict that they themselves caused."

Extensive Outcry

Outrage over the immigration operation escalated – each of the NYC mayor hopefuls denounced the raid, as did Governor Kathy Hochul.

"Repeatedly, the federal government chooses heavy-handed tactics that generate terror, not safety. It must stop," a contender declared.

New York City immigrant rights groups spoke out too.

"Federal officers descended on Manhattan's Chinatown with tactical trucks, masked agents and riot gear to target local sellers attempting to earn income. This action had nothing to do with citizen protection and everything to do with frightening communities and communities," remarked the leader of a rights organization.

ICE Policies

Agency rules forbids the detention of US citizens and the agency has claimed it will not apprehend American nationals. Yet, independent reporting has revealed that numerous US citizens have been taken illegally by ICE during the period of the present government.

Ongoing Trend

Immigration operations have been rising in frequency in the state and around the country this year.

A mid-October raid in the city center was the first known raid on an immigrant shelter of the existing leadership. Demonstrations against ICE are commonplace along with claims of violence and abusive practices.

Recently, a letter submitted by civil rights groups claimed medical neglect of expectant mothers in ICE facilities.