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The state attorney general has rolled out a fresh reporting form encouraging residents to submit images and footage of immigration raids across New York. This move follows a shortly after a significant ICE raid disrupted NYC's Chinatown, triggering mass protests.

American Citizens Arrested During Enforcement Action

A US congressman revealed during a midweek briefing that four US citizens were detained and held for "about 24 hours" following the enforcement action. Demonstrations erupted in NYC on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

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

"Anyone who observed and captured federal operations during the raid, I encourage you to submit that evidence with my office. We are pledged to examining these submissions and investigating any wrongdoings."

Form Details

The portal includes options to send visual evidence of the operation, along with a section to note where it occurred. When submitting, individuals must tick a checkbox that states that "the attorney general may use any documents, photographs, or videos in a legal proceeding, including in a court case or official statement."

Information about the ICE Action

The enforcement action, which onlookers say included more than 50 ICE personnel, took place in a well-known district of NYC where fake handbags, accessories, jewelry and merchandise are commonly traded in large quantities – often to sightseers.

Recordings of the operation show several masked and armed officers securing and holding a man, and pushing back onlookers. Throngs of New Yorkers followed the officers along the roads. An armored truck was noticed traveling down the city streets.

Political Response

In a Wednesday press conference organized with the New York immigrant rights coalition, the congressman, a Democrat, announced that four American citizens were detained by ICE for about 24 hours and that there were "no circumstances where four American citizens should be arrested for no reason." He clarified the persons were released on Wednesday with no legal action taken.

"The intent is obvious here. It is not about removing offenders," Goldman stated. "This represents a military-style operation to create conflict. It is simply a justification to provoke conflict for federal officials to deploy the armed forces to prevent unrest that they themselves caused."

Widespread Condemnation

Outrage over the ICE raid escalated – each of the NYC mayor hopefuls condemned the raid, along with the state leader.

"Once again, the federal government chooses heavy-handed tactics that create fear, instead of protection. It must stop," a contender stated.

New York City immigrant rights groups spoke out too.

"ICE raided the neighborhood with armored transports, covered personnel and protective equipment to focus on local sellers trying to make a living. This raid had no connection to community security and focused completely on terrorizing immigrant families and communities," stated the head of a advocacy group.

Agency Rules

Agency rules prohibits the holding of citizens and the bureau has said it does not take into custody citizens. Nevertheless, independent reporting has discovered that over 170 US citizens have been taken illegally by federal agents since the beginning of the existing leadership.

Recent Pattern

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

A mid-October raid in the city center was the first known raid on an refuge facility of the present government. Protests targeting immigration enforcement are widespread as are claims of violence and inhumane treatment.

Most recently, a submission provided by civil rights groups alleged inadequate care of pregnant women in government custody.