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New York state AG has launched a fresh online portal encouraging citizens to share images and footage of federal immigration enforcement throughout the state. This step comes just a shortly after a high-profile enforcement action rattled NYC's Chinatown, prompting large-scale outcry.

American Citizens Arrested In ICE Operation

A congressional representative disclosed during a Wednesday press conference that four US citizens were taken into custody and kept for "nearly 24 hours" after the enforcement action. Protests occurred in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"Each citizen deserves to live without fear," state officials declared in a statement.

"For those who saw and recorded immigration enforcement recently, I ask you to share that footage with my office. We are committed to assessing these reports and determining any wrongdoings."

Form Details

The platform offers options to send photos and videos of the operation, as well as a section to specify where it occurred. When submitting, users must tick a box that confirms that "the attorney general might employ any evidence provided in a official report, including in a lawsuit or official statement."

Information about the Manhattan Operation

The enforcement action, which observers say included more than 50 government officers, happened in a well-known neighborhood of Manhattan where fake handbags, accessories, jewelry and merchandise are commonly traded en masse – often to sightseers.

Footage of Tuesday's raid reveal numerous covered and weaponized federal agents zip-tying and detaining a individual, and pushing back onlookers. Throngs of locals trailed the agents down the sidewalks. An armored truck was observed rolling through the city streets.

Official Reactions

At a news conference held with the New York immigrant rights coalition, Representative Goldman, a lawmaker, announced that four US citizens were detained by ICE for almost a full day and that there were "no circumstances where US citizens should be detained for unjustly." He said the citizens were released on the following day with no charges filed.

"The goal is evident here. It is not to take criminals off the street," the congressman stated. "This constitutes a militarized effort to incite tension. It is simply a justification to generate turmoil for the government to deploy the troops to stop violence that they have created."

Widespread Condemnation

Fury over the ICE raid quickly spread – every mayoral candidates criticized the raid, along with the state leader.

"Yet again, the current administration selects authoritarian theatrics that create fear, rather than security. It has to end," a political candidate declared.

New York City advocacy organizations expressed outrage as well.

"Immigration agents targeted the neighborhood with military-style vehicles, hooded officers and riot gear to target local sellers attempting to earn income. This operation had no relation to community security and focused completely on intimidating residents and communities," said the president of a advocacy group.

Official Guidelines

Official guidelines forbids the detention of US citizens and the organization has stated it does not take into custody US citizens. Nevertheless, investigative journalism has revealed that over 170 American nationals have been held against their will by immigration authorities since the start of the existing leadership.

Ongoing Trend

ICE raids have been cropping up increasingly in the state and around the country recently.

A mid-October raid in the city center was the first known raid on an refuge facility of the existing leadership. Demonstrations opposing ICE are widespread along with accusations of aggression and cruel conditions.

Most recently, a document submitted by advocacy organizations alleged healthcare failures of expectant mothers in government custody.