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The state AG has launched a new digital platform asking citizens to share photos and videos of immigration raids throughout New York. This action follows a day after a major immigration operation rattled NYC's Chinatown, prompting widespread protests.

US Citizens Arrested In Enforcement Action

A lawmaker revealed during a Wednesday press conference that four citizens were arrested and held for "nearly 24 hours" following the previous day's operation. Protests erupted in New York on consecutive evenings.

"Each citizen deserves to reside free from terror," the attorney general stated in a statement.

"Anyone who observed and recorded ICE activity yesterday, I encourage you to share that material with the authorities. We are committed to examining these accounts and evaluating any wrongdoings."

Submission Process

The platform provides fields to send photos and videos of the operation, as well as a field to specify geographic details. Before submitting, submitters must mark a option that confirms that "the office may use any materials, images, or footage in a legal proceeding, including in a lawsuit or government document."

Details of the Manhattan Operation

The enforcement action, which observers say featured more than 50 ICE personnel, happened in a popular neighborhood of Manhattan where counterfeit handbags, accessories, jewelry and merchandise are sold daily in large quantities – typically to sightseers.

Recordings of Tuesday's raid depict multiple covered and weaponized officers restraining and arresting a person, and forcing aside witnesses. Masses of locals followed the personnel through the streets. An armored military vehicle was also seen moving along the city streets.

Official Reactions

At a news conference featuring the New York immigrant rights coalition, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democratic representative, said that four nationals were arrested by immigration for about 24 hours and that there were "no circumstances where US citizens should be arrested for without cause." He said the persons were released on Wednesday with no legal action taken.

"The intent is obvious here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," he said. "This represents a armed campaign to create conflict. It is purely a excuse to generate turmoil for the government to bring in the troops to halt unrest that they initiated."

Broad Criticism

Fury over the immigration operation escalated – all three NYC mayor hopefuls condemned the raid, along with Governor Kathy Hochul.

"Repeatedly, the current administration chooses heavy-handed tactics that create fear, rather than security. It must stop," one mayoral candidate wrote.

The city's advocacy organizations voiced concern as well.

"Federal officers targeted Chinatown in NYC with military-style vehicles, masked agents and tactical gear to go after small merchants attempting to earn income. This action had no connection to public safety and focused completely on terrorizing immigrant families and areas," remarked the president of a rights organization.

ICE Policies

Official guidelines prohibits the detention of US citizens and the agency has claimed it will not take into custody American nationals. However, external research has discovered that numerous citizens have been taken illegally by federal agents since the start of the current administration.

Ongoing Trend

Enforcement actions have been cropping up increasingly in the state and nationwide recently.

A mid-October raid in central NYC was the first known raid on an immigrant shelter of the present government. Protests opposing immigration enforcement are ubiquitous as are claims of violence and cruel conditions.

Most recently, a letter provided by advocacy organizations stated inadequate care of expectant mothers in ICE facilities.