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New York state attorney general has launched a new reporting form asking locals to provide photos and videos of ICE operations throughout the state. This action comes just a shortly after a high-profile immigration operation disrupted Manhattan's Chinatown, prompting widespread protests.

US Citizens Arrested During Raid

A US congressman disclosed during a Wednesday press conference that four American citizens were taken into custody and held for "nearly 24 hours" following the enforcement action. Protests broke out in New York on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

"Every New Yorker deserves to live without fear," the AG declared in a announcement.

"For those who saw and documented immigration enforcement recently, I ask you to share that material with my office. We are pledged to reviewing these reports and determining any wrongdoings."

Submission Process

The platform includes options to upload images and video footage of the raid, as well as a section to specify where it occurred. Before submitting, individuals must check a checkbox that confirms that "the office may use any materials, images, or footage in a public document, such as in a legal proceeding or government document."

Information about the Manhattan Operation

The enforcement action, which onlookers say featured dozens of government officers, happened in a popular district of the city where fake purses, items, goods and other goods are regularly available en masse – often to tourists.

Videos of the incident show numerous covered and weaponized federal agents securing and holding a person, and shoving away onlookers. Crowds of locals followed the personnel through the streets. An military-style transport was also seen moving along the urban roads.

Leadership Statements

At a Wednesday press conference held with the immigrant advocacy group, the congressman, a Democratic representative, stated that four American citizens were detained by ICE for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no situations where nationals should be taken for no reason." He said the citizens were released on the following day with no charges filed.

"The intent is obvious here. It is not to take criminals off the street," he stated. "This is a militarized effort to create conflict. It is merely a pretext to generate turmoil for the government to utilize the troops to stop unrest that they initiated."

Broad Criticism

Outrage over the federal action escalated – each of the NYC mayor hopefuls condemned the operation, along with the state leader.

"Yet again, the federal government selects oppressive displays that create fear, not safety. It needs to cease," a political candidate stated.

The city's advocacy organizations expressed outrage too.

"Federal officers descended on Manhattan's Chinatown with tactical trucks, hooded officers and riot gear to target local sellers working to survive. This action had no connection to public safety and focused completely on terrorizing immigrant families and neighborhoods," stated the leader of a advocacy group.

Official Guidelines

Agency rules prohibits the holding of citizens and the organization has stated it does not arrest or detain American nationals. Nevertheless, independent reporting has discovered that over 170 American nationals have been taken illegally by federal agents since the beginning of the existing leadership.

Current Situation

ICE raids have been rising in frequency in New York and around the country this year.

An October operation in midtown Manhattan was the initial documented operation on an immigrant shelter of the current administration. Demonstrations against ICE are ubiquitous including claims of aggression and cruel conditions.

Most recently, a document submitted by civil rights groups claimed healthcare failures of women with child in government custody.