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The state attorney general has rolled out a fresh digital platform encouraging residents to provide images and footage of immigration raids across New York. This step follows a shortly after a significant enforcement action disrupted Manhattan's Chinatown, sparking large-scale protests.

US Citizens Held During Enforcement Action

A US congressman disclosed during a news conference that four US citizens were detained and detained for "about 24 hours" after Tuesday's raid. Protests broke out in the city on consecutive evenings.

"Every New Yorker deserves to reside free from terror," the attorney general declared in a release.

"For those who saw and documented immigration enforcement recently, I encourage you to submit that material with my office. We are pledged to assessing these reports and evaluating any legal breaches."

Portal Features

The form includes spaces to submit images and video footage of the operation, as well as a field to indicate where it occurred. Before submitting, users must tick a checkbox that acknowledges that "the office could utilize any documents, photographs, or videos in a official report, such as in a lawsuit or public report."

Details of the ICE Action

The Chinatown raid, which witnesses say included dozens of federal agents, occurred in a well-known area of Manhattan where imitation products and additional items are regularly available in large quantities – often to tourists.

Recordings of Tuesday's raid reveal several masked and armed federal agents zip-tying and detaining a man, and shoving away bystanders. Masses of residents pursued the agents through the streets. An armored military vehicle was noticed rolling through the city streets.

Official Reactions

During a Wednesday press conference held with the immigrant advocacy group, Representative Goldman, a lawmaker, announced that four nationals were taken by federal agents for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where nationals should be taken for without cause." He said the persons were freed on Wednesday with no accusations made.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not to take criminals off the street," he stated. "This represents a armed campaign to incite tension. It is purely a pretext to incite violence for this administration to bring in the military to halt violence that they have created."

Broad Criticism

Outrage over the federal action rapidly grew – all three NYC mayor hopefuls criticized the incident, along with Governor Kathy Hochul.

"Yet again, the current administration opts for authoritarian theatrics that generate terror, instead of protection. It has to end," a contender wrote.

New York City advocacy organizations expressed outrage as well.

"ICE raided Chinatown in NYC with armored transports, covered personnel and tactical gear to target small merchants working to survive. This raid had no relation to community security and focused completely on terrorizing immigrant families and areas," stated the head of a major immigrant coalition.

Agency Rules

ICE policy prohibits the detention of US citizens and the organization has claimed it does not take into custody American nationals. Yet, investigative journalism has discovered that over 170 US citizens have been held against their will by federal agents during the period of the current administration.

Current Situation

ICE raids have been cropping up increasingly in New York and nationwide lately.

A mid-October raid in the city center was the first known raid on an immigrant shelter of the current administration. Demonstrations against federal operations are commonplace including claims of aggression and abusive practices.

Most recently, a letter submitted by civil rights groups claimed healthcare failures of expectant mothers in ICE facilities.