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The state attorney general has launched a new online portal asking citizens to provide visual evidence of federal immigration enforcement throughout New York. This move follows a shortly after a major ICE raid rattled Manhattan's Chinatown, triggering large-scale outcry.

American Citizens Arrested In Raid

A congressional representative announced during a midweek briefing that four American citizens were detained and kept for "almost a full day" after the previous day's operation. Demonstrations broke out in the city on consecutive evenings.

"Each citizen has the right to exist without intimidation," the attorney general stated in a announcement.

"If you witnessed and documented federal operations yesterday, I ask you to provide that evidence with the authorities. We are pledged to assessing these submissions and evaluating any violations of law."

Submission Process

The platform includes options to send visual evidence of the raid, along with a section to note where it occurred. Prior to sending, submitters must mark a option that confirms that "the office might employ any documents, photographs, or videos in a official report, such as in a lawsuit or government document."

Information about the ICE Action

The enforcement action, which observers say involved dozens of federal agents, occurred in a famous area of the city where fake handbags, accessories, jewelry and other goods are regularly available in large quantities – typically to sightseers.

Footage of Tuesday's raid reveal numerous hooded and equipped personnel zip-tying and detaining a person, and shoving away onlookers. Crowds of residents followed the agents through the streets. An armored military vehicle was also seen traveling down the Manhattan avenues.

Official Reactions

In a news conference featuring the New York immigrant rights coalition, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democratic representative, said that four American citizens were detained by ICE for about 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where nationals should be arrested for no reason." He said the individuals were let go on the following day with no accusations made.

"The goal is evident here. It is not about removing offenders," the congressman stated. "This constitutes a militarized effort to provoke unrest. It is simply a justification to provoke conflict for the government to bring in the armed forces to halt unrest that they have created."

Broad Criticism

Outrage over the immigration operation quickly spread – all three political contenders condemned the incident, including NY's governor.

"Repeatedly, the Trump administration opts for heavy-handed tactics that generate terror, rather than security. It must stop," a contender declared.

NYC immigrant rights groups expressed outrage as well.

"Federal officers raided the neighborhood with tactical trucks, masked agents and protective equipment to focus on small merchants trying to make a living. This raid had no relation to citizen protection and everything to do with terrorizing immigrant families and neighborhoods," remarked the head of a major immigrant coalition.

ICE Policies

Agency rules bans the holding of citizens and the bureau has stated it will not take into custody citizens. However, independent reporting has discovered that more than 170 US citizens have been held against their will by federal agents since the beginning of the current administration.

Ongoing Trend

Enforcement actions have been becoming more common in the state and nationwide this year.

An October operation in central NYC was the first known raid on an refuge facility of the existing leadership. Demonstrations against immigration enforcement are commonplace along with claims of aggression and inhumane treatment.

Recently, a letter provided by advocacy organizations alleged healthcare failures of pregnant women in government custody.