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The state AG has launched a fresh online portal asking citizens to share visual evidence of federal immigration enforcement around New York. This move follows a day after a major immigration operation rattled NYC's Chinatown, prompting widespread protests.

American Citizens Detained During ICE Operation

A US congressman announced during a Wednesday press conference that four citizens were taken into custody and kept for "nearly 24 hours" following Tuesday's raid. Rallies erupted in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

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

"If you witnessed and recorded federal operations during the raid, I urge you to share that material with the authorities. We are committed to assessing these reports and investigating any wrongdoings."

Submission Process

The form provides fields to send photos and videos of the operation, along with a area to indicate location information. Prior to sending, submitters must mark a option that acknowledges that "the attorney general could utilize any materials, images, or footage in a legal proceeding, including in a lawsuit or official statement."

Information about the Chinatown Raid

The Manhattan operation, which witnesses say involved over fifty government officers, happened in a famous area of the city where counterfeit purses, items, goods and additional items are regularly available widely – typically to tourists.

Recordings of Tuesday's raid depict numerous covered and weaponized personnel securing and holding a man, and forcing aside onlookers. Throngs of locals followed the personnel down the sidewalks. An armored truck was observed moving along the city streets.

Leadership Statements

At a news conference held with the immigrant advocacy group, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democratic representative, announced that four nationals were detained by ICE for almost a full day and that there were "no circumstances where four American citizens should be taken for no reason." He clarified the individuals were released on Wednesday with no legal action taken.

"The intent is obvious here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," Goldman remarked. "This constitutes a military-style operation to create conflict. It is merely a pretext to generate turmoil for the government to bring in the armed forces to stop unrest that they have created."

Broad Criticism

Fury over the ICE raid quickly spread – every NYC mayor hopefuls denounced the incident, as did the state leader.

"Yet again, the federal government selects authoritarian theatrics that generate terror, rather than security. It needs to cease," one mayoral candidate wrote.

The city's advocacy organizations expressed outrage too.

"Federal officers raided Chinatown in NYC with tactical trucks, masked agents and protective equipment to target street vendors working to survive. This raid had no relation to community security and was entirely about intimidating residents and communities," stated the president of a major immigrant coalition.

Official Guidelines

ICE policy bans the detention of US citizens and the bureau has said it does not take into custody citizens. However, independent reporting has discovered that more than 170 citizens have been taken illegally by immigration authorities during the period of the present government.

Current Situation

Enforcement actions have been cropping up increasingly in NY and across the US lately.

A recent action in midtown Manhattan was the initial documented operation on an housing center of the existing leadership. Rallies opposing immigration enforcement are widespread along with accusations of violence and inhumane treatment.

Latest, a document provided by civil rights groups alleged healthcare failures of women with child in detention centers.