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New York state attorney general has launched a recent reporting form encouraging residents to provide images and footage of ICE operations throughout New York. This move comes just a shortly after a major enforcement action disrupted Chinatown in Manhattan, sparking mass protests.

American Citizens Detained During ICE Operation

A US congressman announced during a Wednesday press conference that four US citizens were taken into custody and detained for "almost a full day" following the previous day's operation. Demonstrations erupted in the city on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"Every New Yorker is entitled to reside free from terror," state officials stated in a release.

"For those who saw and recorded ICE activity recently, I urge you to provide that evidence with my office. We are committed to examining these reports and investigating any legal breaches."

Portal Features

The portal offers fields to upload visual evidence of the operation, plus a area to specify location information. Prior to sending, submitters must check a checkbox that states that "authorities may use any materials, images, or footage in a legal proceeding, such as in a lawsuit or government document."

Information about the Manhattan Operation

The Chinatown raid, which witnesses say included dozens of federal agents, happened in a well-known district of NYC where fake products and merchandise are sold daily en masse – typically to tourists.

Footage of the operation reveal multiple hooded and equipped federal agents zip-tying and detaining a person, and shoving away witnesses. Crowds of locals trailed the officers down the sidewalks. An military-style transport was noticed traveling down the city streets.

Leadership Statements

At a news conference held with the New York immigrant rights coalition, the congressman, a Democratic representative, announced that four US citizens were detained by ICE for almost a full day and that there were "no conditions where US citizens should be arrested for unjustly." He noted the citizens were let go on the following day with no charges filed.

"The intent is obvious here. It is not about removing offenders," the congressman said. "This is a military-style operation to incite tension. It is purely a justification to generate turmoil for federal officials to utilize the military to prevent violence that they themselves caused."

Widespread Condemnation

Outrage over the federal action quickly spread – every mayoral candidates denounced the operation, as did NY's governor.

"Repeatedly, the current administration opts for oppressive displays that instill panic, instead of protection. It has to end," a political candidate wrote.

New York City community groups spoke out as well.

"Immigration agents targeted the neighborhood with military-style vehicles, hooded officers and tactical gear to go after street vendors trying to make a living. This action had no connection to community security and focused completely on terrorizing immigrant families and neighborhoods," said the head of a rights organization.

ICE Policies

Official guidelines bans the detention of US citizens and the agency has claimed it will not take into custody American nationals. Yet, external research has discovered that more than 170 American nationals have been taken illegally by immigration authorities during the period of the current administration.

Recent Pattern

ICE raids have been cropping up increasingly in the state and across the US this year.

An October operation in central NYC was the initial documented operation on an housing center of the current administration. Protests targeting immigration enforcement are widespread as are claims of force and inhumane treatment.

Recently, a document submitted by advocacy organizations claimed healthcare failures of women with child in government custody.