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New York state attorney general has rolled out a recent reporting form urging residents to share visual evidence of immigration raids throughout the state. This move follows a day after a significant ICE raid rattled Chinatown in Manhattan, sparking large-scale protests.

US Citizens Arrested In Enforcement Action

A congressional representative revealed during a midweek briefing that four US citizens were arrested and kept for "about 24 hours" following Tuesday's raid. Demonstrations occurred in the city on consecutive evenings.

"Each citizen has the right to reside free from terror," the AG wrote in a release.

"Anyone who observed and recorded ICE activity recently, I urge you to provide that evidence with us. We are committed to assessing these reports and determining any violations of law."

Portal Features

The platform offers options to upload visual evidence of the raid, plus a area to specify where it occurred. When submitting, users must check a checkbox that states that "authorities may use any documents, photographs, or videos in a legal proceeding, including in a legal proceeding or government document."

Details of the Chinatown Raid

The Manhattan operation, which onlookers say featured dozens of ICE personnel, took place in a famous neighborhood of NYC where imitation purses, items, goods and merchandise are commonly traded widely – often to tourists.

Videos of Tuesday's raid depict multiple masked and armed federal agents securing and holding a man, and shoving away witnesses. Throngs of locals pursued the personnel through the streets. An military-style transport was noticed traveling down the urban roads.

Leadership Statements

At a Wednesday press conference featuring the New York immigrant rights coalition, Representative Goldman, a Democrat, said that four US citizens were taken by federal agents for about 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where nationals should be arrested for unjustly." He said the citizens were freed on Wednesday with no legal action taken.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not about removing offenders," Goldman said. "This represents a armed campaign to provoke unrest. It is simply a justification to incite violence for this administration to deploy the armed forces to stop unrest that they initiated."

Extensive Outcry

Fury over the ICE raid quickly spread – each of the NYC mayor hopefuls denounced the operation, as did the state leader.

"Once again, the federal government selects oppressive displays that create fear, instead of protection. It must stop," a contender wrote.

NYC community groups expressed outrage as well.

"Federal officers descended on Chinatown in NYC with tactical trucks, hooded officers and riot gear to focus on street vendors working to survive. This action had no relation to citizen protection and was entirely about terrorizing immigrant families and neighborhoods," said the leader of a major immigrant coalition.

ICE Policies

Official guidelines forbids the arrest of American nationals and the bureau has said it will not take into custody American nationals. Nevertheless, external research has revealed that numerous US citizens have been held against their will by immigration authorities since the start of the existing leadership.

Ongoing Trend

Immigration operations have been becoming more common in New York and nationwide this year.

An October operation in the city center was the earliest reported action on an housing center of the current administration. Demonstrations against federal operations are widespread along with allegations of force and inhumane treatment.

Recently, a document submitted by advocacy organizations alleged medical neglect of pregnant women in ICE facilities.