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New York state attorney general has rolled out a new online portal urging residents to provide photos and videos of immigration raids around New York. This move comes just a day after a significant immigration operation disrupted Manhattan's Chinatown, prompting mass outcry.

US Citizens Held In Enforcement Action

A congressional representative revealed during a Wednesday press conference that four US citizens were detained and kept for "about 24 hours" following Tuesday's raid. Protests erupted in NYC on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"Every New Yorker deserves to reside free from terror," state officials declared in a statement.

"Anyone who observed and recorded federal operations yesterday, I ask you to submit that material with the authorities. We are committed to assessing these reports and investigating any violations of law."

Form Details

The portal provides options to upload photos and videos of the operation, as well as a field to specify geographic details. Prior to sending, submitters must tick a checkbox that states that "the attorney general may use any evidence provided in a public document, including in a lawsuit or official statement."

Details of the Manhattan Operation

The Chinatown raid, which onlookers say involved dozens of government officers, occurred in a famous area of NYC where fake handbags, accessories, jewelry and additional items are sold daily in large quantities – often to tourists.

Videos of the incident depict numerous covered and weaponized federal agents securing and holding a individual, and pushing back bystanders. Masses of locals followed the officers down the sidewalks. An military-style transport was observed traveling down the Manhattan avenues.

Political Response

In a Wednesday press conference organized with the New York immigrant rights coalition, the congressman, a Democrat, announced that four US citizens were detained by ICE for about 24 hours and that there were "no situations where US citizens should be detained for unjustly." He noted the persons were let go on the following day with no legal action taken.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," Goldman remarked. "This constitutes a military-style operation to provoke unrest. It is simply a justification to generate turmoil for the government to deploy the military to stop unrest that they initiated."

Broad Criticism

Anger over the federal action escalated – all three NYC mayor hopefuls condemned the operation, including Governor Kathy Hochul.

"Once again, the federal government selects heavy-handed tactics that generate terror, not safety. It has to end," a contender declared.

New York City advocacy organizations spoke out also.

"ICE descended on Manhattan's Chinatown with armored transports, covered personnel and tactical gear to target street vendors attempting to earn income. This operation had no relation to community security and focused completely on terrorizing immigrant families and communities," stated the leader of a rights organization.

ICE Policies

Agency rules bans the holding of citizens and the bureau has stated it refrains from take into custody US citizens. Nevertheless, investigative journalism has found that more than 170 US citizens have been held against their will by federal agents since the start of the existing leadership.

Ongoing Trend

Enforcement actions have been cropping up increasingly in New York and nationwide recently.

An October operation in midtown Manhattan was the initial documented operation on an refuge facility of the current administration. Protests targeting federal operations are widespread as are allegations of force and cruel conditions.

Most recently, a letter provided by legal entities claimed inadequate care of pregnant women in ICE facilities.