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New York state AG has launched a fresh online portal encouraging citizens to provide visual evidence of ICE operations around the state. This action comes just a day after a high-profile enforcement action rattled Manhattan's Chinatown, triggering mass demonstrations.

US Citizens Held During Enforcement Action

A US congressman revealed during a Wednesday press conference that four American citizens were taken into custody and held for "about 24 hours" after the previous day's operation. Rallies broke out in the city on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

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

"If you witnessed and documented federal operations recently, I encourage you to provide that evidence with my office. We are pledged to assessing these accounts and investigating any legal breaches."

Submission Process

The form includes options to send images and video footage of the incident, as well as a section to specify location information. Before submitting, users must mark a option that states that "authorities could utilize any evidence provided in a public document, such as in a court case or official statement."

Details of the Chinatown Raid

The Manhattan operation, which onlookers say involved over fifty federal agents, occurred in a well-known district of Manhattan where fake purses, items, goods and additional items are commonly traded in large quantities – often to tourists.

Videos of Tuesday's raid show several hooded and equipped personnel securing and holding a person, and pushing back witnesses. Throngs of New Yorkers followed the personnel through the streets. An armored truck was observed traveling down the city streets.

Leadership Statements

In a midweek briefing featuring the New York immigrant rights coalition, the congressman, a Democratic representative, said that four US citizens were arrested by immigration for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where US citizens should be arrested for without cause." He said the persons were released on the following day with no legal action taken.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not to take criminals off the street," he remarked. "This is a militarized effort to provoke unrest. It is simply a justification to generate turmoil for this administration to deploy the military to stop unrest that they themselves caused."

Broad Criticism

Outrage over the federal action escalated – each of the political contenders denounced the incident, along with NY's governor.

"Once again, the Trump administration opts for authoritarian theatrics that instill panic, not safety. It has to end," one mayoral candidate wrote.

NYC advocacy organizations voiced concern too.

"ICE descended on Manhattan's Chinatown with armored transports, hooded officers and protective equipment to target small merchants attempting to earn income. This operation had no connection to citizen protection and everything to do with intimidating residents and areas," remarked the leader of a rights organization.

Agency Rules

Agency rules forbids the arrest of American nationals and the organization has claimed it refrains from take into custody citizens. However, external research has discovered that over 170 citizens have been detained unlawfully by ICE during the period of the present government.

Ongoing Trend

ICE raids have been becoming more common in New York and across the US recently.

A mid-October raid in central NYC was the first known raid on an housing center of the current administration. Demonstrations against immigration enforcement are widespread including accusations of violence and abusive practices.

Latest, a letter filed by advocacy organizations alleged healthcare failures of women with child in government custody.