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The state attorney general has launched a recent online portal urging citizens to provide images and footage of ICE operations throughout New York. This move comes just a shortly after a major ICE raid disrupted Manhattan's Chinatown, sparking widespread protests.

US Citizens Held During Raid

A US congressman announced during a Wednesday press conference that four citizens were detained and detained for "about 24 hours" following the enforcement action. Demonstrations occurred in NYC on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"All New York residents has the right to live without fear," state officials stated in a release.

"Anyone who observed and documented ICE activity recently, I ask you to provide that footage with the authorities. We are committed to reviewing these accounts and determining any legal breaches."

Form Details

The portal provides fields to send visual evidence of the operation, plus a field to indicate location information. When submitting, submitters must mark a option that confirms that "authorities could utilize any materials, images, or footage in a public document, such as in a legal proceeding or official statement."

Information about the Chinatown Raid

The Chinatown raid, which observers say featured dozens of federal agents, took place in a popular area of Manhattan where counterfeit purses, items, goods and other goods are commonly traded en masse – frequently to tourists.

Recordings of the incident show several masked and armed officers zip-tying and detaining a individual, and pushing back witnesses. Crowds of locals followed the officers along the roads. An military-style transport was noticed rolling through the urban roads.

Leadership Statements

During a midweek briefing featuring the New York immigrant rights coalition, Representative Goldman, a Democratic representative, announced that four US citizens were detained by ICE for almost a full day and that there were "no conditions where four American citizens should be detained for no reason." He said the citizens were freed on Wednesday with no legal action taken.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not about removing offenders," Goldman said. "This constitutes a armed campaign to incite tension. It is purely a justification to generate turmoil for this administration to utilize the armed forces to stop unrest that they have created."

Widespread Condemnation

Outrage over the federal action rapidly grew – each of the political contenders denounced the incident, along with Governor Kathy Hochul.

"Once again, the Trump administration selects oppressive displays that instill panic, not safety. It needs to cease," a contender stated.

NYC community groups voiced concern as well.

"ICE raided Manhattan's Chinatown with tactical trucks, covered personnel and protective equipment to go after street vendors attempting to earn income. This raid had no connection to community security and was entirely about terrorizing immigrant families and neighborhoods," stated the leader of a rights organization.

ICE Policies

Agency rules forbids the detention of US citizens and the organization has stated it does not apprehend US citizens. Nevertheless, investigative journalism has discovered that numerous citizens have been detained unlawfully by immigration authorities during the period of the existing leadership.

Ongoing Trend

ICE raids have been cropping up increasingly in the state and nationwide recently.

A recent action in midtown Manhattan was the initial documented operation on an immigrant shelter of the current administration. Protests targeting immigration enforcement are commonplace as are accusations of aggression and inhumane treatment.

Recently, a letter filed by advocacy organizations alleged medical neglect of pregnant women in ICE facilities.