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New York state AG has launched a fresh reporting form urging citizens to share photos and videos of ICE operations around New York. This move follows a shortly after a high-profile immigration operation disrupted Chinatown in Manhattan, sparking widespread outcry.

American Citizens Arrested During ICE Operation

A congressional representative revealed during a news conference that four citizens were arrested and kept for "nearly 24 hours" after the enforcement action. Protests occurred in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"All New York residents has the right to live without fear," the AG wrote in a announcement.

"For those who saw and documented federal operations during the raid, I ask you to share that footage with us. We are pledged to assessing these accounts and determining any wrongdoings."

Portal Features

The portal provides fields to upload visual evidence of the incident, along with a area to indicate geographic details. Prior to sending, individuals must tick a option that confirms that "authorities might employ any documents, photographs, or videos in a public document, including in a legal proceeding or public report."

Details of the Manhattan Operation

The enforcement action, which witnesses say involved dozens of government officers, took place in a well-known district of the city where imitation purses, items, goods and other goods are regularly available widely – often to sightseers.

Footage of the operation show numerous hooded and equipped federal agents restraining and arresting a individual, and shoving away onlookers. Throngs of New Yorkers trailed the agents down the sidewalks. An armored military vehicle was observed moving along the city streets.

Official Reactions

At a Wednesday press conference featuring the New York immigrant rights coalition, the congressman, a Democrat, stated that four US citizens were arrested by immigration for almost a full day and that there were "no circumstances where nationals should be arrested for no reason." He noted the citizens were freed on Wednesday with no legal action taken.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not to take criminals off the street," Goldman said. "This is a militarized effort to create conflict. It is merely a excuse to provoke conflict for the government to deploy the troops to prevent conflict that they have created."

Widespread Condemnation

Anger over the federal action rapidly grew – each of the political contenders denounced the operation, as did the state leader.

"Once again, the Trump administration selects authoritarian theatrics that generate terror, instead of protection. It has to end," a political candidate wrote.

NYC community groups spoke out also.

"Federal officers descended on Chinatown in NYC with armored transports, masked agents and tactical gear to go after street vendors attempting to earn income. This operation had no relation to public safety and was entirely about terrorizing immigrant families and areas," stated the head of a rights organization.

ICE Policies

Official guidelines prohibits the arrest of American nationals and the agency has said it refrains from take into custody US citizens. Yet, external research has revealed that over 170 US citizens have been held against their will by federal agents since the start of the current administration.

Ongoing Trend

ICE raids have been cropping up increasingly in NY and around the country this year.

An October operation in central NYC was the first known raid on an refuge facility of the present government. Protests targeting ICE are widespread along with claims of force and inhumane treatment.

Most recently, a document provided by civil rights groups stated medical neglect of pregnant women in ICE facilities.