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New York state AG has introduced a fresh digital platform asking citizens to share images and footage of federal immigration enforcement throughout New York. This action comes just a shortly after a high-profile enforcement action disrupted Chinatown in Manhattan, triggering widespread outcry.

US Citizens Detained During ICE Operation

A lawmaker announced during a Wednesday press conference that four citizens were arrested and kept for "almost a full day" following the enforcement action. Protests broke out in NYC on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"All New York residents is entitled to exist without intimidation," the attorney general stated in a announcement.

"If you witnessed and captured ICE activity yesterday, I encourage you to share that evidence with us. We are pledged to assessing these submissions and evaluating any wrongdoings."

Form Details

The form includes fields to upload images and video footage of the raid, plus a section to specify geographic details. Prior to sending, users must tick a option that confirms that "authorities may use any evidence provided in a public document, including in a lawsuit or official statement."

Details of the ICE Action

The Chinatown raid, which onlookers say involved dozens of federal agents, occurred in a famous area of Manhattan where fake purses, items, goods and additional items are sold daily en masse – frequently to visitors.

Footage of Tuesday's raid depict multiple covered and weaponized personnel securing and holding a man, and pushing back bystanders. Masses of New Yorkers followed the personnel through the streets. An armored military vehicle was also seen moving along the urban roads.

Political Response

At a news conference held with the New York immigrant rights coalition, Representative Goldman, a Democrat, said that four nationals were arrested by immigration for almost a full day and that there were "no conditions where US citizens should be detained for without cause." He said the individuals were released on Wednesday with no legal action taken.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not about removing offenders," he said. "This constitutes a military-style operation to provoke unrest. It is merely a pretext to provoke conflict for this administration to deploy the troops to halt violence that they have created."

Broad Criticism

Anger over the federal action escalated – each of the mayoral candidates criticized the incident, including the state leader.

"Repeatedly, the Trump administration chooses oppressive displays that generate terror, not safety. It must stop," a political candidate declared.

NYC advocacy organizations expressed outrage as well.

"Federal officers targeted Manhattan's Chinatown with armored transports, masked agents and tactical gear to target local sellers trying to make a living. This action had no relation to community security and was entirely about terrorizing immigrant families and communities," said the president of a major immigrant coalition.

Agency Rules

Official guidelines forbids the arrest of American nationals and the organization has stated it will not take into custody citizens. However, independent reporting has discovered that numerous citizens have been detained unlawfully by federal agents during the period of the existing leadership.

Ongoing Trend

Enforcement actions have been cropping up increasingly in NY and nationwide lately.

A mid-October raid in midtown Manhattan was the earliest reported action on an housing center of the present government. Demonstrations targeting federal operations are widespread as are accusations of force and abusive practices.

Latest, a letter submitted by civil rights groups claimed medical neglect of women with child in detention centers.