🔗 Share this article

The state attorney general has launched a fresh online portal urging residents to share photos and videos of immigration raids across the state. This step follows a day after a major ICE raid disrupted Manhattan's Chinatown, triggering widespread demonstrations.

American Citizens Detained In Enforcement Action

A US congressman revealed during a news conference that four citizens were taken into custody and detained for "almost a full day" after the enforcement action. Demonstrations broke out in New York on consecutive evenings.

"Every New Yorker deserves to exist without intimidation," the attorney general wrote in a announcement.

"Anyone who observed and captured ICE activity recently, I ask you to share that material with the authorities. We are pledged to assessing these reports and investigating any wrongdoings."

Submission Process

The platform includes fields to submit photos and videos of the raid, along with a area to note location information. When submitting, individuals must tick a option that states that "the office might employ any documents, photographs, or videos in a public document, including in a legal proceeding or government document."

Information about the Chinatown Raid

The Manhattan operation, which witnesses say included more than 50 ICE personnel, happened in a popular area of Manhattan where fake products and additional items are commonly traded en masse – frequently to visitors.

Videos of Tuesday's raid depict several masked and armed personnel zip-tying and detaining a individual, and shoving away witnesses. Crowds of residents trailed the personnel down the sidewalks. An armored military vehicle was observed rolling through the urban roads.

Official Reactions

In a news conference featuring the rights organization, the congressman, a lawmaker, said that four US citizens were arrested by immigration for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no situations where US citizens should be taken for no reason." He noted the persons were freed on the following day with no legal action taken.

"The intent is obvious here. It is not to take criminals off the street," the congressman said. "This represents a military-style operation to provoke unrest. It is purely a justification to generate turmoil for this administration to utilize the armed forces to halt conflict that they themselves caused."

Broad Criticism

Fury over the federal action rapidly grew – all three NYC mayor hopefuls denounced the operation, along with NY's governor.

"Yet again, the Trump administration selects oppressive displays that instill panic, not safety. It has to end," one mayoral candidate wrote.

The city's advocacy organizations expressed outrage too.

"Federal officers descended on the neighborhood with armored transports, masked agents and tactical gear to go after street vendors working to survive. This action had no connection to citizen protection and focused completely on terrorizing immigrant families and areas," remarked the head of a rights organization.

Official Guidelines

Official guidelines bans the arrest of American nationals and the bureau has stated it does not take into custody citizens. Yet, investigative journalism has found that more than 170 US citizens have been held against their will by immigration authorities since the start of the current administration.

Recent Pattern

Immigration operations have been becoming more common in NY and around the country recently.

A recent action in central NYC was the earliest reported action on an housing center of the current administration. Demonstrations against immigration enforcement are commonplace along with accusations of violence and abusive practices.

Most recently, a document provided by advocacy organizations claimed medical neglect of pregnant women in government custody.