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New York state attorney general has launched a recent reporting form asking citizens to share images and footage of immigration raids throughout New York. This action follows a day after a high-profile immigration operation shook NYC's Chinatown, triggering widespread protests.

American Citizens Detained In Enforcement Action

A lawmaker disclosed during a news conference that four citizens were taken into custody and kept for "nearly 24 hours" following the previous day's operation. Demonstrations erupted in NYC on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"Each citizen is entitled to live without fear," the attorney general declared in a announcement.

"Anyone who observed and recorded ICE activity yesterday, I ask you to submit that evidence with my office. We are committed to assessing these reports and determining any wrongdoings."

Form Details

The portal offers options to submit visual evidence of the raid, along with a field to specify where it occurred. When submitting, submitters must tick a box that states that "authorities could utilize any documents, photographs, or videos in a public document, including in a lawsuit or government document."

Information about the ICE Action

The enforcement action, which onlookers say included dozens of ICE personnel, occurred in a popular area of the city where fake products and additional items are sold daily widely – often to tourists.

Footage of the operation depict numerous covered and weaponized federal agents restraining and arresting a man, and forcing aside onlookers. Crowds of locals pursued the officers down the sidewalks. An armored truck was noticed traveling down the urban roads.

Political Response

At a Wednesday press conference held with the New York immigrant rights coalition, congressman Dan Goldman, a lawmaker, stated that four American citizens were arrested by immigration for about 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where nationals should be arrested for unjustly." He said the persons were released on the following day with no accusations made.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," he remarked. "This represents a military-style operation to provoke unrest. It is simply a pretext to provoke conflict for this administration to bring in the armed forces to prevent conflict that they initiated."

Extensive Outcry

Outrage over the ICE raid escalated – every NYC mayor hopefuls denounced the operation, as did the state leader.

"Yet again, the Trump administration selects oppressive displays that create fear, rather than security. It has to end," a political candidate wrote.

New York City immigrant rights groups spoke out also.

"Federal officers descended on the neighborhood with military-style vehicles, masked agents and riot gear to focus on local sellers trying to make a living. This operation had no connection to community security and was entirely about frightening communities and areas," stated the head of a major immigrant coalition.

ICE Policies

ICE policy prohibits the detention of US citizens and the bureau has stated it refrains from take into custody American nationals. Yet, independent reporting has found that numerous American nationals have been taken illegally by immigration authorities since the beginning of the current administration.

Ongoing Trend

Enforcement actions have been rising in frequency in the state and across the US this year.

A mid-October raid in the city center was the first known raid on an refuge facility of the current administration. Demonstrations against federal operations are ubiquitous including accusations of aggression and inhumane treatment.

Latest, a letter filed by advocacy organizations claimed medical neglect of expectant mothers in ICE facilities.