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New York state AG has rolled out a fresh digital platform urging locals to share images and footage of immigration raids across the state. This move follows a day after a significant ICE raid shook NYC's Chinatown, sparking large-scale protests.

American Citizens Arrested In Enforcement Action

A US congressman revealed during a midweek briefing that four US citizens were arrested and held for "about 24 hours" after Tuesday's raid. Protests erupted in New York on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

"Every New Yorker deserves to reside free from terror," the attorney general declared in a release.

"Anyone who observed and documented federal operations yesterday, I urge you to submit that evidence with the authorities. We are dedicated to assessing these reports and investigating any wrongdoings."

Portal Features

The portal includes fields to submit images and video footage of the raid, plus a area to note where it occurred. When submitting, submitters must check a option that acknowledges that "the office might employ any evidence provided in a legal proceeding, including in a court case or public report."

Details of the Chinatown Raid

The Chinatown raid, which observers say included over fifty federal agents, took place in a popular area of NYC where fake handbags, accessories, jewelry and other goods are regularly available en masse – often to tourists.

Videos of Tuesday's raid show numerous masked and armed personnel restraining and arresting a man, and shoving away bystanders. Crowds of residents trailed the personnel along the roads. An armored military vehicle was noticed moving along the Manhattan avenues.

Political Response

At a midweek briefing featuring the New York immigrant rights coalition, the congressman, a lawmaker, said that four American citizens were detained by ICE for almost a full day and that there were "no conditions where US citizens should be detained for without cause." He clarified the citizens 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 incite tension. It is simply a pretext to provoke conflict for federal officials to bring in the troops to prevent conflict that they initiated."

Broad Criticism

Anger over the immigration operation quickly spread – each of the mayoral candidates denounced the raid, as did NY's governor.

"Repeatedly, the current administration selects authoritarian theatrics that instill panic, instead of protection. It must stop," a contender stated.

NYC community groups voiced concern as well.

"Federal officers raided Manhattan's Chinatown with military-style vehicles, hooded officers and protective equipment to focus on local sellers trying to make a living. This raid had nothing to do with citizen protection and focused completely on intimidating residents and communities," remarked the head of a advocacy group.

Agency Rules

Agency rules forbids the arrest of American nationals and the bureau has claimed it refrains from apprehend US citizens. Yet, independent reporting has found that numerous citizens have been detained unlawfully by ICE since the beginning of the existing leadership.

Current Situation

Immigration operations have been becoming more common in the state and across the US recently.

An October operation in the city center was the initial documented operation on an refuge facility of the present government. Rallies targeting federal operations are widespread as are accusations of force and cruel conditions.

Recently, a document filed by legal entities alleged healthcare failures of pregnant women in detention centers.