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The state attorney general has introduced a new digital platform encouraging residents to share images and footage of immigration raids around the state. This move follows a shortly after a significant immigration operation shook NYC's Chinatown, prompting large-scale outcry.

American Citizens Detained During Raid

A lawmaker announced during a Wednesday press conference that four American citizens were arrested and detained for "about 24 hours" following the previous day's operation. Demonstrations broke out in the city on consecutive evenings.

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

"Anyone who observed and recorded ICE activity yesterday, I urge you to submit that material with us. We are committed to examining these accounts and evaluating any violations of law."

Portal Features

The platform includes fields to send photos and videos of the raid, along with a field to specify where it occurred. Before submitting, individuals must tick a box that states that "the attorney general could utilize any documents, photographs, or videos in a official report, such as in a court case or public report."

Information about the Chinatown Raid

The Chinatown raid, which witnesses say featured more than 50 government officers, took place in a popular area of Manhattan where imitation purses, items, goods and additional items are sold daily en masse – often to visitors.

Recordings of the operation reveal several masked and armed personnel restraining and arresting a person, and pushing back witnesses. Masses of New Yorkers pursued the agents through the streets. An military-style transport was also seen rolling through the Manhattan avenues.

Leadership Statements

During a news conference organized with the immigrant advocacy group, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democrat, stated that four nationals were taken by federal agents for almost a full day and that there were "no situations where nationals should be arrested for without cause." He clarified the persons were released on Wednesday with no legal action taken.

"The goal is evident here. It is not about removing offenders," Goldman said. "This is a militarized effort to create conflict. It is purely a justification to generate turmoil for federal officials to deploy the armed forces to halt unrest that they themselves caused."

Broad Criticism

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

"Once again, the current administration chooses authoritarian theatrics that create fear, not safety. It needs to cease," one mayoral candidate stated.

The city's advocacy organizations expressed outrage as well.

"Immigration agents descended on Manhattan's Chinatown with tactical trucks, covered personnel and riot gear to target small merchants working to survive. This raid had no connection to community security and focused completely on terrorizing immigrant families and areas," said the president of a major immigrant coalition.

Agency Rules

ICE policy bans the arrest of American nationals and the agency has claimed it will not arrest or detain citizens. However, independent reporting has revealed that more than 170 American nationals have been held against their will by federal agents during the period of the present government.

Ongoing Trend

ICE raids have been becoming more common in New York and around the country lately.

A mid-October raid in midtown Manhattan was the initial documented operation on an housing center of the existing leadership. Protests targeting federal operations are ubiquitous as are accusations of aggression and inhumane treatment.

Recently, a letter submitted by legal entities stated inadequate care of women with child in government custody.