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New York state AG has rolled out a recent online portal encouraging residents to share visual evidence of ICE operations across New York. This action follows a day after a major ICE raid disrupted NYC's Chinatown, prompting large-scale outcry.

American Citizens Arrested During ICE Operation

A US congressman disclosed during a midweek briefing that four American citizens were arrested and held for "about 24 hours" after Tuesday's raid. Rallies erupted in the city on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"Every New Yorker is entitled to live without fear," state officials stated in a statement.

"If you witnessed and captured ICE activity during the raid, I urge you to submit that footage with us. We are dedicated to examining these accounts and determining any legal breaches."

Portal Features

The platform offers fields to send visual evidence of the incident, along with a field to indicate location information. When submitting, users must check a option that states that "authorities could utilize any evidence provided in a public document, including in a legal proceeding or public report."

Details of the Manhattan Operation

The Manhattan operation, which observers say included over fifty government officers, took place in a popular neighborhood of NYC where counterfeit handbags, accessories, jewelry and other goods are commonly traded in large quantities – frequently to sightseers.

Footage of Tuesday's raid show multiple hooded and equipped federal agents zip-tying and detaining a person, and forcing aside onlookers. Crowds of residents followed the agents through the streets. An armored military vehicle was also seen rolling through the urban roads.

Leadership Statements

At a Wednesday press conference organized with the New York immigrant rights coalition, Representative Goldman, a Democrat, said that four American citizens were detained by ICE for almost a full day and that there were "no conditions where four American citizens should be arrested for without cause." He noted the persons were released on the following day with no legal action taken.

"The goal is evident here. It is not about removing offenders," he stated. "This represents a military-style operation to provoke unrest. It is simply a justification to provoke conflict for federal officials to bring in the military to halt unrest that they initiated."

Broad Criticism

Anger over the immigration operation quickly spread – every political contenders condemned the raid, as did the state leader.

"Repeatedly, the federal government chooses heavy-handed tactics that create fear, instead of protection. It needs to cease," a political candidate stated.

The city's immigrant rights groups spoke out also.

"Federal officers raided Chinatown in NYC with armored transports, covered personnel and tactical gear to focus on street vendors trying to make a living. This operation had no relation to public safety and focused completely on frightening communities and neighborhoods," stated the head of a advocacy group.

ICE Policies

Agency rules prohibits the arrest of American nationals and the agency has stated it will not arrest or detain US citizens. Nevertheless, independent reporting has found that numerous citizens have been held against their will by immigration authorities since the beginning of the current administration.

Recent Pattern

Enforcement actions have been becoming more common in the state and around the country recently.

A recent action in the city center was the first known raid on an refuge facility of the existing leadership. Rallies against federal operations are widespread including claims of violence and abusive practices.

Recently, a letter provided by civil rights groups claimed healthcare failures of women with child in ICE facilities.