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The state AG has launched a fresh online portal asking residents to share photos and videos of immigration raids across New York. This move comes just a shortly after a major enforcement action rattled NYC's Chinatown, sparking widespread protests.

American Citizens Arrested In Enforcement Action

A US congressman revealed during a Wednesday press conference that four citizens were arrested and detained for "almost a full day" after the enforcement action. Protests erupted in New York on consecutive evenings.

"Every New Yorker has the right to exist without intimidation," the attorney general stated in a announcement.

"For those who saw and documented ICE activity yesterday, I encourage you to share that evidence with my office. We are committed to reviewing these accounts and determining any legal breaches."

Form Details

The platform offers spaces to submit images and video footage of the operation, along with a area to note location information. Before submitting, individuals must mark a box that confirms that "authorities might employ any documents, photographs, or videos in a legal proceeding, including in a legal proceeding or government document."

Information about the Manhattan Operation

The Chinatown raid, which witnesses say included over fifty ICE personnel, happened in a famous area of the city where imitation products and other goods are commonly traded in large quantities – often to sightseers.

Videos of the operation show multiple covered and weaponized federal agents restraining and arresting a individual, and pushing back bystanders. Masses of locals followed the officers down the sidewalks. An armored truck was observed rolling through the Manhattan avenues.

Leadership Statements

During a news conference organized with the New York immigrant rights coalition, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democrat, announced that four US citizens were taken by federal agents for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no situations where nationals should be arrested for without cause." He noted the citizens were released on the following day with no charges filed.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not about removing offenders," he remarked. "This constitutes a military-style operation to create conflict. It is purely a pretext to incite violence for this administration to utilize the armed forces to halt unrest that they initiated."

Extensive Outcry

Anger over the ICE raid escalated – each of the political contenders criticized the operation, including the state leader.

"Yet again, the federal government opts for oppressive displays that generate terror, instead of protection. It needs to cease," a political candidate wrote.

New York City advocacy organizations expressed outrage also.

"Federal officers descended on the neighborhood with armored transports, hooded officers and protective equipment to go after local sellers attempting to earn income. This action had nothing to do with community security and focused completely on terrorizing immigrant families and areas," said the head of a major immigrant coalition.

ICE Policies

Official guidelines bans the arrest of American nationals and the agency has said it will not take into custody citizens. Yet, independent reporting has discovered that numerous US citizens have been detained unlawfully by ICE since the beginning of the existing leadership.

Ongoing Trend

Immigration operations have been becoming more common in NY and across the US recently.

A mid-October raid in central NYC was the first known raid on an immigrant shelter of the existing leadership. Demonstrations against ICE are commonplace as are accusations of force and abusive practices.

Latest, a submission filed by advocacy organizations stated healthcare failures of expectant mothers in government custody.