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New York state attorney general has launched a new online portal urging residents to share photos and videos of immigration raids across the state. This move follows a shortly after a high-profile immigration operation shook NYC's Chinatown, sparking large-scale protests.

US Citizens Held During Enforcement Action

A lawmaker revealed during a Wednesday press conference that four US citizens were arrested and kept for "almost a full day" following the enforcement action. Rallies erupted in the city on consecutive evenings.

"All New York residents is entitled to exist without intimidation," the AG declared in a release.

"Anyone who observed and documented ICE activity yesterday, I urge you to submit that material with the authorities. We are pledged to assessing these reports and evaluating any violations of law."

Submission Process

The platform offers spaces to submit photos and videos of the raid, plus a field to specify geographic details. When submitting, users must check a box that confirms that "the office might employ any materials, images, or footage in a official report, including in a lawsuit or official statement."

Details of the Chinatown Raid

The enforcement action, which onlookers say involved more than 50 federal agents, happened in a popular district of Manhattan where counterfeit purses, items, goods and additional items are regularly available in large quantities – typically to tourists.

Recordings of the incident reveal multiple hooded and equipped federal agents restraining and arresting a person, and pushing back bystanders. Masses of residents pursued the agents along the roads. An military-style transport was noticed traveling down the city streets.

Political Response

In a Wednesday press conference held with the rights organization, Representative Goldman, a Democratic representative, stated that four nationals were detained by ICE for almost a full day and that there were "no conditions where US citizens should be arrested for unjustly." He noted the individuals were freed on Wednesday with no legal action taken.

"The intent is obvious here. It is not to take criminals off the street," he remarked. "This constitutes a military-style operation to provoke unrest. It is simply a excuse to provoke conflict for this administration to deploy the troops to prevent violence that they themselves caused."

Widespread Condemnation

Outrage over the ICE raid quickly spread – all three mayoral candidates condemned the incident, along with Governor Kathy Hochul.

"Yet again, the Trump administration selects heavy-handed tactics that create fear, not safety. It must stop," a political candidate wrote.

New York City advocacy organizations voiced concern too.

"ICE raided the neighborhood with tactical trucks, masked agents and riot gear to focus on small merchants working to survive. This raid had no relation to public safety and focused completely on intimidating residents and neighborhoods," stated the president of a rights organization.

ICE Policies

Official guidelines forbids the arrest of American nationals and the agency has claimed it will not arrest or detain US citizens. However, external research has discovered that numerous citizens have been detained unlawfully by federal agents during the period of the current administration.

Current Situation

ICE raids have been cropping up increasingly in New York and across the US recently.

A recent action in midtown Manhattan was the first known raid on an housing center of the present government. Demonstrations targeting ICE are widespread as are accusations of aggression and abusive practices.

Latest, a document submitted by civil rights groups alleged inadequate care of pregnant women in detention centers.