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The state AG has launched a recent online portal encouraging citizens to provide visual evidence of immigration raids throughout New York. This action comes just a day after a major enforcement action rattled NYC's Chinatown, triggering mass outcry.

US Citizens Arrested During Enforcement Action

A US congressman announced during a Wednesday press conference that four US citizens were arrested and kept for "nearly 24 hours" following the previous day's operation. Demonstrations broke out in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"Each citizen has the right to reside free from terror," the AG wrote in a announcement.

"If you witnessed and recorded immigration enforcement during the raid, I urge you to submit that footage with the authorities. We are committed to reviewing these accounts and determining any legal breaches."

Portal Features

The portal provides fields to send images and video footage of the operation, plus a field to note location information. Before submitting, submitters must check a option that confirms that "the attorney general may use any materials, images, or footage in a public document, such as in a legal proceeding or public report."

Details of the ICE Action

The Manhattan operation, which witnesses say featured more than 50 government officers, occurred in a well-known district of NYC where counterfeit purses, items, goods and other goods are sold daily in large quantities – typically to sightseers.

Recordings of the operation reveal several hooded and equipped federal agents securing and holding a person, and shoving away bystanders. Throngs of New Yorkers trailed the agents along the roads. An armored military vehicle was observed rolling through the city streets.

Official Reactions

At a midweek briefing featuring the rights organization, Representative Goldman, a Democrat, said that four US citizens were detained by ICE for about 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where four American citizens should be detained for without cause." He clarified the individuals were freed on Wednesday with no accusations made.

"The intent is obvious here. It is not about removing offenders," the congressman said. "This is a armed campaign to create conflict. It is simply a pretext to generate turmoil for this administration to utilize the armed forces to prevent violence that they have created."

Widespread Condemnation

Fury over the ICE raid escalated – every mayoral candidates criticized the incident, including NY's governor.

"Repeatedly, the Trump administration chooses heavy-handed tactics that generate terror, not safety. It has to end," one mayoral candidate stated.

New York City immigrant rights groups spoke out as well.

"Immigration agents targeted Manhattan's Chinatown with armored transports, hooded officers and tactical gear to target street vendors working to survive. This raid had nothing to do with community security and was entirely about intimidating residents and neighborhoods," said the head of a rights organization.

Official Guidelines

Official guidelines forbids the detention of US citizens and the agency has stated it refrains from apprehend American nationals. Nevertheless, investigative journalism has revealed that numerous US citizens have been held against their will by immigration authorities since the start of the existing leadership.

Current Situation

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

A recent action in midtown Manhattan was the initial documented operation on an housing center of the current administration. Protests opposing federal operations are widespread including allegations of force and abusive practices.

Recently, a submission filed by civil rights groups stated healthcare failures of women with child in detention centers.