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The state AG has rolled out a new online portal encouraging locals to share images and footage of immigration raids throughout the state. This step follows a day after a high-profile immigration operation disrupted Chinatown in Manhattan, prompting large-scale protests.

US Citizens Detained In ICE Operation

A congressional representative announced during a news conference that four citizens were arrested and detained for "about 24 hours" following the enforcement action. Protests occurred in the city on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

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

"For those who saw and captured federal operations during the raid, I urge you to provide that evidence with my office. We are committed to examining these reports and evaluating any legal breaches."

Submission Process

The platform provides spaces to upload images and video footage of the incident, plus a area to specify geographic details. Prior to sending, submitters must check a option that confirms that "the attorney general might employ any materials, images, or footage in a legal proceeding, such as in a lawsuit or government document."

Details of the Manhattan Operation

The Manhattan operation, which onlookers say involved more than 50 government officers, took place in a popular district of Manhattan where fake purses, items, goods and additional items are commonly traded in large quantities – frequently to tourists.

Videos of the incident reveal numerous hooded and equipped personnel restraining and arresting a person, and shoving away onlookers. Throngs of residents pursued the officers along the roads. An armored truck was also seen rolling through the city streets.

Official Reactions

At a midweek briefing featuring the New York immigrant rights coalition, the congressman, a Democratic representative, stated that four US citizens were arrested by immigration for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where nationals should be detained for unjustly." He said the individuals were let go on the following day with no legal action taken.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not about removing offenders," the congressman said. "This is a military-style operation to incite tension. It is simply a excuse to provoke conflict for federal officials to bring in the troops to stop violence that they themselves caused."

Widespread Condemnation

Fury over the immigration operation rapidly grew – every NYC mayor hopefuls criticized the incident, as did NY's governor.

"Yet again, the current administration opts for authoritarian theatrics that instill panic, rather than security. It needs to cease," a political candidate wrote.

NYC immigrant rights groups voiced concern also.

"ICE descended on Chinatown in NYC with tactical trucks, hooded officers and tactical gear to go after small merchants working to survive. This operation had no connection to community security and everything to do with terrorizing immigrant families and neighborhoods," said the president of a major immigrant coalition.

Official Guidelines

ICE policy forbids the detention of US citizens and the agency has said it will not take into custody US citizens. Nevertheless, external research has discovered that over 170 US citizens have been held against their will by immigration authorities since the beginning of the existing leadership.

Ongoing Trend

Immigration operations have been rising in frequency in NY and across the US this year.

A mid-October raid in central NYC was the earliest reported action on an refuge facility of the present government. Protests targeting immigration enforcement are ubiquitous along with accusations of violence and abusive practices.

Most recently, a document filed by civil rights groups alleged medical neglect of expectant mothers in ICE facilities.