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New York state attorney general has rolled out a recent online portal urging residents to provide images and footage of federal immigration enforcement around New York. This action comes just a shortly after a high-profile ICE raid rattled NYC's Chinatown, prompting widespread outcry.

American Citizens Arrested In Raid

A US congressman revealed during a midweek briefing that four citizens were taken into custody and detained for "almost a full day" after the enforcement action. Demonstrations occurred in NYC on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

"All New York residents deserves to exist without intimidation," the attorney general wrote in a announcement.

"If you witnessed and recorded immigration enforcement during the raid, I ask you to provide that evidence with my office. We are pledged to examining these submissions and evaluating any violations of law."

Submission Process

The portal provides options to send photos and videos of the operation, as well as a area to indicate where it occurred. When submitting, users must tick a option that acknowledges that "authorities might employ any evidence provided in a legal proceeding, such as in a court case or official statement."

Details of the Manhattan Operation

The Chinatown raid, which onlookers say included dozens of ICE personnel, occurred in a well-known neighborhood of Manhattan where imitation products and other goods are regularly available widely – typically to sightseers.

Videos of the operation depict numerous covered and weaponized federal agents zip-tying and detaining a man, and pushing back witnesses. Throngs of residents followed the personnel through the streets. An military-style transport was observed traveling down the Manhattan avenues.

Leadership Statements

During a midweek briefing featuring the rights organization, the congressman, a Democrat, announced that four US citizens were arrested by immigration for almost a full day and that there were "no circumstances where four American citizens should be taken for unjustly." He noted the individuals were released on the following day with no accusations made.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not about removing offenders," Goldman stated. "This constitutes a militarized effort to create conflict. It is purely a pretext to generate turmoil for the government to utilize the troops to stop unrest that they have created."

Broad Criticism

Outrage over the ICE raid quickly spread – each of the NYC mayor hopefuls condemned the raid, including the state leader.

"Once again, the current administration selects heavy-handed tactics that create fear, rather than security. It needs to cease," one mayoral candidate wrote.

New York City immigrant rights groups expressed outrage also.

"ICE raided the neighborhood with armored transports, hooded officers and riot gear to go after small merchants attempting to earn income. This raid had no connection to community security and was entirely about intimidating residents and neighborhoods," said the head of a rights organization.

Official Guidelines

Official guidelines prohibits the arrest of American nationals and the bureau has said it does not arrest or detain American nationals. Nevertheless, external research has revealed that numerous American nationals have been detained unlawfully by immigration authorities since the start of the current administration.

Ongoing Trend

Enforcement actions have been becoming more common in the state and across the US lately.

An October operation in the city center was the first known raid on an housing center of the present government. Demonstrations opposing ICE are commonplace along with accusations of violence and inhumane treatment.

Most recently, a document filed by legal entities alleged medical neglect of pregnant women in detention centers.