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New York state AG has launched a recent reporting form urging citizens to share photos and videos of immigration raids throughout New York. This move follows a day after a high-profile immigration operation disrupted Manhattan's Chinatown, sparking mass outcry.

US Citizens Held During Enforcement Action

A congressional representative disclosed during a news conference that four citizens were detained and held for "almost a full day" following the previous day's operation. Demonstrations occurred in NYC on consecutive evenings.

"Each citizen has the right to exist without intimidation," the AG declared in a release.

"Anyone who observed and recorded immigration enforcement yesterday, I ask you to share that material with my office. We are committed to assessing these reports and determining any violations of law."

Submission Process

The portal provides fields to upload visual evidence of the raid, along with a section to indicate location information. Before submitting, users must tick a box that states that "the attorney general could utilize any documents, photographs, or videos in a public document, including in a lawsuit or official statement."

Details of the Manhattan Operation

The enforcement action, which witnesses say featured dozens of ICE personnel, happened in a famous district of NYC where counterfeit products and other goods are sold daily widely – typically to tourists.

Footage of the incident reveal multiple masked and armed federal agents restraining and arresting a man, and shoving away bystanders. Crowds of locals followed the officers along the roads. An armored truck was also seen rolling through the city streets.

Political Response

During a news conference organized with the New York immigrant rights coalition, Representative Goldman, a Democrat, stated that four American citizens were taken by federal agents for about 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where US citizens should be arrested for without cause." He clarified the persons were freed on Wednesday with no charges filed.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," Goldman stated. "This is a militarized effort to incite tension. It is merely a justification to generate turmoil for the government to deploy the troops to halt conflict that they have created."

Broad Criticism

Outrage over the immigration operation escalated – each of the NYC mayor hopefuls denounced the incident, including the state leader.

"Once again, the federal government chooses authoritarian theatrics that generate terror, not safety. It has to end," one mayoral candidate declared.

NYC community groups voiced concern also.

"Federal officers raided Chinatown in NYC with tactical trucks, hooded officers and tactical gear to focus on small merchants trying to make a living. This operation had nothing to do with public safety and was entirely about terrorizing immigrant families and communities," stated the president of a major immigrant coalition.

ICE Policies

Agency rules bans the holding of citizens and the bureau has said it refrains from take into custody citizens. Nevertheless, investigative journalism has found that more than 170 American nationals have been detained unlawfully by federal agents during the period of the existing leadership.

Ongoing Trend

Immigration operations have been becoming more common in New York and across the US lately.

A recent action in the city center was the earliest reported action on an refuge facility of the existing leadership. Rallies against ICE are commonplace including allegations of aggression and inhumane treatment.

Latest, a letter filed by advocacy organizations claimed inadequate care of pregnant women in detention centers.