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The state attorney general has introduced a new digital platform urging locals to provide photos and videos of federal immigration enforcement throughout the state. This move comes just a shortly after a major ICE raid rattled Chinatown in Manhattan, triggering large-scale demonstrations.

American Citizens Detained In Enforcement Action

A congressional representative announced during a Wednesday press conference that four American citizens were arrested and detained for "almost a full day" after the previous day's operation. Protests erupted in New York on consecutive evenings.

"All New York residents is entitled to live without fear," state officials stated in a statement.

"If you witnessed and captured federal operations yesterday, I encourage you to provide that evidence with us. We are committed to examining these submissions and evaluating any violations of law."

Submission Process

The platform includes spaces to send visual evidence of the raid, plus a area to indicate location information. Prior to sending, individuals must tick a checkbox that states that "the attorney general may use any evidence provided in a official report, including in a legal proceeding or official statement."

Details of the ICE Action

The enforcement action, which onlookers say featured over fifty ICE personnel, occurred in a well-known area of Manhattan where fake purses, items, goods and other goods are regularly available widely – typically to sightseers.

Videos of the incident reveal numerous covered and weaponized personnel zip-tying and detaining a person, and pushing back witnesses. Throngs of New Yorkers trailed the agents through the streets. An armored military vehicle was observed rolling through the urban roads.

Official Reactions

At a Wednesday press conference featuring the New York immigrant rights coalition, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democratic representative, announced that four American citizens were taken by federal agents for about 24 hours and that there were "no circumstances where nationals should be taken for unjustly." He said the citizens were released on Wednesday with no charges filed.

"The intent is obvious here. It is not to take criminals off the street," the congressman said. "This represents a military-style operation to create conflict. It is purely a excuse to provoke conflict for the government to deploy the armed forces to prevent violence that they have created."

Widespread Condemnation

Anger over the ICE raid quickly spread – every political contenders denounced the raid, as did NY's governor.

"Once again, the federal government opts for heavy-handed tactics that generate terror, not safety. It must stop," a political candidate wrote.

NYC immigrant rights groups voiced concern also.

"ICE raided Manhattan's Chinatown with tactical trucks, masked agents and riot gear to target street vendors attempting to earn income. This operation had nothing to do with citizen protection and focused completely on terrorizing immigrant families and neighborhoods," said the leader of a major immigrant coalition.

Agency Rules

Agency rules prohibits the arrest of American nationals and the agency has said it will not arrest or detain American nationals. Nevertheless, independent reporting has found that numerous American nationals have been detained unlawfully by ICE during the period of the current administration.

Ongoing Trend

ICE raids have been cropping up increasingly in the state and nationwide lately.

An October operation in central NYC was the first known raid on an housing center of the current administration. Rallies targeting ICE are commonplace along with accusations of violence and abusive practices.

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