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The state AG has introduced a new digital platform urging citizens to share visual evidence of immigration raids across the state. This action comes just a shortly after a major enforcement action disrupted NYC's Chinatown, sparking widespread demonstrations.

US Citizens Detained During ICE Operation

A congressional representative revealed during a midweek briefing that four citizens were taken into custody and detained for "about 24 hours" after Tuesday's raid. Rallies occurred in NYC on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"Each citizen is entitled to exist without intimidation," the attorney general stated in a statement.

"For those who saw and recorded immigration enforcement during the raid, I ask you to submit that material with us. We are pledged to examining these submissions and determining any violations of law."

Form Details

The platform includes fields to send images and video footage of the operation, plus a area to specify geographic details. Before submitting, submitters must mark a box that confirms that "the attorney general may use any documents, photographs, or videos in a public document, including in a lawsuit or government document."

Details of the Manhattan Operation

The Chinatown raid, which onlookers say featured over fifty ICE personnel, occurred in a well-known area of NYC where imitation products and additional items are regularly available en masse – typically to sightseers.

Videos of Tuesday's raid show numerous masked and armed personnel zip-tying and detaining a man, and pushing back witnesses. Masses of residents followed the officers down the sidewalks. An military-style transport was noticed moving along the city streets.

Leadership Statements

At a news conference held with the rights organization, Representative Goldman, a Democratic representative, said that four nationals were arrested by immigration for almost a full day and that there were "no circumstances where four American citizens should be arrested for unjustly." He said the persons were let go on Wednesday with no legal action taken.

"The intent is obvious here. It is not to take criminals off the street," he remarked. "This is a military-style operation to provoke unrest. It is purely a excuse to provoke conflict for federal officials to utilize the military to stop unrest that they initiated."

Widespread Condemnation

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

"Yet again, the federal government opts for oppressive displays that generate terror, rather than security. It must stop," a contender wrote.

New York City immigrant rights groups spoke out also.

"Immigration agents raided Manhattan's Chinatown with tactical trucks, hooded officers and tactical gear to focus on small merchants trying to make a living. This action had no connection to public safety and everything to do with intimidating residents and communities," stated the leader of a major immigrant coalition.

ICE Policies

Agency rules prohibits the holding of citizens and the bureau has claimed it will not arrest or detain US citizens. However, external research has discovered that more than 170 US citizens have been held against their will by ICE since the start of the present government.

Recent Pattern

ICE raids have been cropping up increasingly in New York and nationwide this year.

A recent action in central NYC was the first known raid on an housing center of the existing leadership. Rallies against ICE are ubiquitous along with allegations of violence and abusive practices.

Recently, a document submitted by civil rights groups claimed inadequate care of expectant mothers in detention centers.