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New York state AG has rolled out a new digital platform encouraging locals to provide photos and videos of ICE operations across New York. This move follows a day after a significant enforcement action shook Manhattan's Chinatown, prompting mass demonstrations.

American Citizens Held During Raid

A lawmaker announced during a news conference that four US citizens were taken into custody and held for "almost a full day" after Tuesday's raid. Protests occurred in NYC on consecutive evenings.

"Each citizen deserves to exist without intimidation," the attorney general stated in a announcement.

"Anyone who observed and captured federal operations yesterday, I urge you to provide that evidence with the authorities. We are dedicated to examining these accounts and determining any violations of law."

Form Details

The form includes fields to submit photos and videos of the raid, along with a field to note location information. Prior to sending, submitters must tick a checkbox that acknowledges that "the office could utilize any materials, images, or footage in a public document, including in a court case or government document."

Information about the ICE Action

The enforcement action, which observers say featured more than 50 federal agents, occurred in a famous district of NYC where imitation products and merchandise are sold daily en masse – frequently to visitors.

Footage of Tuesday's raid show numerous hooded and equipped officers securing and holding a man, and shoving away onlookers. Masses of residents pursued the personnel through the streets. An military-style transport was observed rolling through the urban roads.

Official Reactions

At a Wednesday press conference featuring the rights organization, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democrat, announced that four nationals were taken by federal agents for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no circumstances where four American citizens should be detained for without cause." He said the citizens were let go on Wednesday with no legal action taken.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," Goldman remarked. "This is a military-style operation to create conflict. It is merely a excuse to incite violence for federal officials to bring in the troops to stop conflict that they themselves caused."

Broad Criticism

Anger over the ICE raid quickly spread – each of the mayoral candidates criticized the raid, as did NY's governor.

"Yet again, the federal government chooses oppressive displays that instill panic, rather than security. It has to end," a contender declared.

The city's immigrant rights groups voiced concern as well.

"ICE raided the neighborhood with armored transports, masked agents and riot gear to target small merchants working to survive. This operation had no relation to community security and everything to do with terrorizing immigrant families and neighborhoods," said the leader of a major immigrant coalition.

Agency Rules

Official guidelines prohibits the holding of citizens and the organization has said it does not apprehend American nationals. Yet, investigative journalism has revealed that numerous American nationals have been taken illegally by federal agents since the start of the present government.

Current Situation

Immigration operations have been rising in frequency in NY and around the country this year.

A mid-October raid in central NYC was the earliest reported action on an immigrant shelter of the present government. Demonstrations against federal operations are ubiquitous as are claims of aggression and abusive practices.

Most recently, a submission provided by advocacy organizations alleged inadequate care of pregnant women in ICE facilities.