🔗 Share this article

The state attorney general has launched a fresh online portal asking locals to share photos and videos of immigration raids throughout New York. This action comes just a day after a major ICE raid disrupted Chinatown in Manhattan, sparking widespread protests.

American Citizens Arrested During Enforcement Action

A lawmaker announced during a Wednesday press conference that four US citizens were arrested and detained for "nearly 24 hours" following Tuesday's raid. Rallies occurred in NYC on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

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

"If you witnessed and documented federal operations recently, I urge you to provide that footage with my office. We are pledged to reviewing these accounts and determining any violations of law."

Submission Process

The form provides options to send photos and videos of the operation, as well as a area to indicate where it occurred. Before submitting, submitters must mark a box that confirms that "authorities might employ any documents, photographs, or videos in a legal proceeding, including in a lawsuit or government document."

Information about the ICE Action

The Chinatown raid, which witnesses say featured dozens of government officers, happened in a popular area of NYC where imitation purses, items, goods and other goods are sold daily widely – typically to visitors.

Videos of the incident show several masked and armed personnel securing and holding a man, and pushing back onlookers. Masses of residents followed the agents through the streets. An armored military vehicle was noticed rolling through the Manhattan avenues.

Official Reactions

During a midweek briefing organized with the immigrant advocacy group, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democrat, announced that four American citizens were taken by federal agents for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no circumstances where four American citizens should be arrested for without cause." He said the persons were released on Wednesday with no charges filed.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," he stated. "This constitutes a armed campaign to create conflict. It is purely a excuse to incite violence for this administration to deploy the troops to halt violence that they initiated."

Extensive Outcry

Outrage over the immigration operation escalated – all three NYC mayor hopefuls condemned the incident, as did the state leader.

"Repeatedly, the current administration chooses authoritarian theatrics that generate terror, rather than security. It has to end," one mayoral candidate wrote.

The city's community groups spoke out too.

"ICE descended on the neighborhood with tactical trucks, masked agents and riot gear to go after local sellers working to survive. This action had no connection to citizen protection and everything to do with intimidating residents and communities," stated the head of a advocacy group.

Agency Rules

Official guidelines bans the detention of US citizens and the agency has said it does not arrest or detain American nationals. Yet, investigative journalism has revealed that over 170 American nationals have been held against their will by federal agents since the start of the existing leadership.

Ongoing Trend

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

A recent action in the city center was the initial documented operation on an housing center of the existing leadership. Protests targeting ICE are ubiquitous along with accusations of force and abusive practices.

Most recently, a submission filed by civil rights groups stated inadequate care of expectant mothers in detention centers.