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The state attorney general has rolled out a fresh digital platform asking locals to provide visual evidence of ICE operations across the state. This step follows a shortly after a major immigration operation shook NYC's Chinatown, prompting mass protests.

US Citizens Arrested During Raid

A lawmaker disclosed during a Wednesday press conference that four US citizens were taken into custody and kept for "about 24 hours" after Tuesday's raid. Protests occurred in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"Each citizen deserves to live without fear," the AG declared in a release.

"If you witnessed and captured federal operations recently, I urge you to provide that evidence with us. We are pledged to assessing these submissions and investigating any legal breaches."

Portal Features

The portal offers spaces to send visual evidence of the incident, as well as a field to specify where it occurred. Before submitting, individuals must check a box that states that "authorities may use any evidence provided in a official report, including in a lawsuit or public report."

Details of the ICE Action

The Manhattan operation, which witnesses say featured over fifty government officers, took place in a well-known area of the city where fake products and additional items are regularly available in large quantities – typically to sightseers.

Recordings of the incident depict numerous masked and armed federal agents securing and holding a individual, and forcing aside witnesses. Crowds of residents trailed the agents down the sidewalks. An armored military vehicle was observed moving along the city streets.

Official Reactions

At a Wednesday press conference featuring the New York immigrant rights coalition, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democrat, stated that four US citizens were arrested by immigration for almost a full day and that there were "no situations where US citizens should be detained for without cause." He noted the citizens were let go on the following day with no charges filed.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," he stated. "This constitutes a military-style operation to incite tension. It is merely a excuse to generate turmoil for the government to bring in the troops to prevent unrest that they themselves caused."

Broad Criticism

Anger over the federal action rapidly grew – all three NYC mayor hopefuls denounced the raid, including Governor Kathy Hochul.

"Repeatedly, the Trump administration opts for authoritarian theatrics that create fear, not safety. It has to end," one mayoral candidate wrote.

NYC immigrant rights groups spoke out also.

"ICE raided Manhattan's Chinatown with tactical trucks, masked agents and tactical gear to target local sellers trying to make a living. This operation had no connection to citizen protection and was entirely about intimidating residents and areas," said the head of a rights organization.

Agency Rules

Official guidelines prohibits the holding of citizens and the agency has stated it refrains from take into custody US citizens. Nevertheless, independent reporting has found that over 170 citizens have been held against their will by federal agents during the period of the current administration.

Ongoing Trend

ICE raids have been rising in frequency in NY and nationwide lately.

A mid-October raid in midtown Manhattan was the initial documented operation on an refuge facility of the existing leadership. Demonstrations opposing federal operations are ubiquitous as are allegations of aggression and inhumane treatment.

Recently, a submission provided by advocacy organizations alleged medical neglect of expectant mothers in ICE facilities.