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New York state AG has launched a recent reporting form encouraging residents to provide visual evidence of federal immigration enforcement throughout New York. This move follows a shortly after a major ICE raid disrupted Chinatown in Manhattan, sparking mass protests.

American Citizens Held In Raid

A congressional representative announced during a midweek briefing that four American citizens were taken into custody and held for "almost a full day" after the previous day's operation. Protests occurred in NYC on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

"All New York residents is entitled to reside free from terror," the attorney general wrote in a release.

"If you witnessed and captured ICE activity yesterday, I ask you to submit that footage with us. We are pledged to assessing these submissions and evaluating any legal breaches."

Form Details

The platform includes fields to send images and video footage of the incident, as well as a field to note geographic details. Prior to sending, submitters must mark a checkbox that acknowledges that "the attorney general might employ any evidence provided in a legal proceeding, such as in a legal proceeding or public report."

Details of the Manhattan Operation

The enforcement action, which onlookers say involved over fifty ICE personnel, happened in a well-known area of the city where imitation handbags, accessories, jewelry and additional items are sold daily widely – frequently to tourists.

Videos of the operation show numerous masked and armed federal agents securing and holding a individual, and pushing back onlookers. Masses of residents pursued the agents through the streets. An armored military vehicle was also seen traveling down the city streets.

Political Response

In a news conference held with the rights organization, the congressman, a Democrat, said that four US citizens were detained by ICE for about 24 hours and that there were "no circumstances where US citizens should be arrested for unjustly." He said the citizens were freed on Wednesday with no accusations made.

"The intent is obvious here. It is not to take criminals off the street," the congressman remarked. "This constitutes a militarized effort to incite tension. It is purely a excuse to incite violence for the government to deploy the armed forces to prevent unrest that they initiated."

Extensive Outcry

Anger over the ICE raid rapidly grew – each of the mayoral candidates condemned the raid, as did NY's governor.

"Yet again, the Trump administration opts for heavy-handed tactics that instill panic, not safety. It needs to cease," a contender stated.

NYC immigrant rights groups voiced concern as well.

"Immigration agents raided Chinatown in NYC with military-style vehicles, hooded officers and protective equipment to target local sellers trying to make a living. This raid had nothing to do with citizen protection and was entirely about intimidating residents and neighborhoods," said the leader of a advocacy group.

Official Guidelines

Agency rules prohibits the detention of US citizens and the bureau has said it refrains from arrest or detain citizens. Yet, investigative journalism has found that over 170 American nationals have been taken illegally by federal agents since the start of the present government.

Current Situation

Enforcement actions have been rising in frequency in New York and across the US lately.

An October operation in the city center was the earliest reported action on an refuge facility of the present government. Protests opposing ICE are commonplace including accusations of aggression and inhumane treatment.

Latest, a submission filed by legal entities alleged inadequate care of expectant mothers in government custody.