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New York state attorney general has launched a fresh reporting form asking residents to provide visual evidence of federal immigration enforcement throughout New York. This move follows a shortly after a major ICE raid disrupted NYC's Chinatown, prompting widespread outcry.

US Citizens Detained During Raid

A US congressman announced during a Wednesday press conference that four American citizens were detained and detained for "nearly 24 hours" following Tuesday's raid. Rallies erupted in New York on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

"All New York residents deserves to exist without intimidation," state officials stated in a statement.

"Anyone who observed and documented immigration enforcement yesterday, I urge you to submit that footage with my office. We are committed to assessing these accounts and evaluating any violations of law."

Portal Features

The form provides spaces to send images and video footage of the raid, along with a area to indicate where it occurred. When submitting, submitters must check a option that states that "authorities could utilize any documents, photographs, or videos in a official report, such as in a lawsuit or official statement."

Information about the ICE Action

The Chinatown raid, which witnesses say featured dozens of government officers, took place in a famous neighborhood of NYC where fake handbags, accessories, jewelry and merchandise are sold daily widely – often to sightseers.

Videos of the incident depict multiple covered and weaponized personnel restraining and arresting a individual, and pushing back onlookers. Crowds of locals trailed the agents through the streets. An armored truck was noticed moving along the Manhattan avenues.

Official Reactions

During a midweek briefing held with the immigrant advocacy group, Representative Goldman, a Democrat, announced that four nationals were taken by federal agents for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no situations where nationals should be detained for no reason." He said the citizens were released on the following day with no accusations made.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not about removing offenders," Goldman said. "This represents a military-style operation to provoke unrest. It is simply a justification to generate turmoil for federal officials to utilize the military to stop violence that they initiated."

Extensive Outcry

Outrage over the immigration operation quickly spread – all three mayoral candidates condemned the incident, as did Governor Kathy Hochul.

"Repeatedly, the current administration opts for oppressive displays that generate terror, rather than security. It must stop," a political candidate declared.

NYC immigrant rights groups expressed outrage too.

"ICE descended on Chinatown in NYC with tactical trucks, masked agents and protective equipment to target local sellers attempting to earn income. This action had no connection to public safety and focused completely on frightening communities and areas," said the president of a rights organization.

ICE Policies

Agency rules bans the detention of US citizens and the bureau has stated it does not apprehend citizens. Yet, independent reporting has found that more than 170 citizens have been taken illegally by federal agents during the period of the existing leadership.

Recent Pattern

ICE raids have been cropping up increasingly in New York and around the country lately.

An October operation in midtown Manhattan was the initial documented operation on an immigrant shelter of the existing leadership. Demonstrations targeting federal operations are ubiquitous including claims of aggression and abusive practices.

Latest, a submission provided by civil rights groups claimed healthcare failures of pregnant women in ICE facilities.