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The state attorney general has launched a new online portal encouraging citizens to share visual evidence of federal immigration enforcement around New York. This action comes just a day after a major immigration operation disrupted Chinatown in Manhattan, sparking large-scale demonstrations.

US Citizens Arrested During ICE Operation

A US congressman revealed during a news conference that four American citizens were taken into custody and detained for "nearly 24 hours" after Tuesday's raid. Protests erupted in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"Every New Yorker has the right to reside free from terror," state officials stated in a release.

"If you witnessed and recorded immigration enforcement yesterday, I encourage you to share that evidence with the authorities. We are committed to reviewing these accounts and evaluating any legal breaches."

Submission Process

The portal includes fields to send photos and videos of the incident, along with a field to indicate where it occurred. When submitting, users must tick a option that acknowledges that "authorities might employ any documents, photographs, or videos in a legal proceeding, such as in a legal proceeding or official statement."

Details of the Manhattan Operation

The Manhattan operation, which witnesses say included more than 50 federal agents, happened in a popular area of the city where fake handbags, accessories, jewelry and merchandise are commonly traded in large quantities – often to tourists.

Footage of the incident show numerous hooded and equipped personnel securing and holding a man, and pushing back witnesses. Masses of New Yorkers pursued the agents along the roads. An armored truck was also seen moving along the urban roads.

Leadership Statements

At a Wednesday press conference held with the rights organization, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democrat, announced that four US citizens were taken by federal agents for about 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where four American citizens should be detained for no reason." He said the citizens were freed on Wednesday with no accusations made.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not about removing offenders," the congressman said. "This represents a military-style operation to create conflict. It is merely a pretext to provoke conflict for federal officials to deploy the military to halt conflict that they initiated."

Extensive Outcry

Fury over the ICE raid quickly spread – each of the NYC mayor hopefuls denounced the incident, including NY's governor.

"Once again, the federal government chooses oppressive displays that create fear, instead of protection. It needs to cease," a contender declared.

The city's immigrant rights groups voiced concern as well.

"ICE raided Manhattan's Chinatown with tactical trucks, masked agents and protective equipment to focus on small merchants attempting to earn income. This raid had no connection to community security and was entirely about frightening communities and neighborhoods," said the president of a major immigrant coalition.

Official Guidelines

Official guidelines bans the arrest of American nationals and the bureau has stated it refrains from arrest or detain citizens. Nevertheless, external research has found that numerous citizens have been detained unlawfully by federal agents since the start of the current administration.

Recent Pattern

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

A mid-October raid in the city center was the initial documented operation on an immigrant shelter of the current administration. Protests targeting ICE are ubiquitous along with claims of force and abusive practices.

Most recently, a submission submitted by civil rights groups claimed healthcare failures of pregnant women in detention centers.