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New York state attorney general has launched a new reporting form encouraging citizens to submit visual evidence of ICE operations around New York. This action follows a day after a high-profile ICE raid shook Manhattan's Chinatown, triggering large-scale protests.

American Citizens Held During Enforcement Action

A US congressman revealed during a midweek briefing that four US citizens were detained and kept for "almost a full day" following the previous day's operation. Protests erupted in NYC on consecutive evenings.

"Every New Yorker deserves to live without fear," the attorney general wrote in a release.

"For those who saw and documented federal operations during the raid, I ask you to submit that material with us. We are pledged to assessing these submissions and determining any violations of law."

Form Details

The portal includes options to submit images and video footage of the operation, as well as a field to note location information. Before submitting, users must tick a option that confirms that "the attorney general might employ any materials, images, or footage in a legal proceeding, including in a legal proceeding or official statement."

Details of the Manhattan Operation

The Manhattan operation, which onlookers say featured dozens of federal agents, occurred in a popular district of Manhattan where imitation purses, items, goods and other goods are regularly available widely – often to sightseers.

Footage of the incident show numerous covered and weaponized officers restraining and arresting a person, and shoving away bystanders. Crowds of locals pursued the personnel through the streets. An armored truck was also seen moving along the Manhattan avenues.

Official Reactions

During a midweek briefing featuring the New York immigrant rights coalition, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democratic representative, said that four US citizens were taken by federal agents for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where four American citizens should be detained for unjustly." He said the persons were freed on Wednesday with no accusations made.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," he said. "This is a armed campaign to provoke unrest. It is simply a pretext to generate turmoil for this administration to utilize the military to halt violence that they have created."

Widespread Condemnation

Anger over the immigration operation rapidly grew – each of the political contenders condemned the operation, including NY's governor.

"Repeatedly, the current administration opts for heavy-handed tactics that generate terror, rather than security. It must stop," a contender stated.

New York City immigrant rights groups spoke out as well.

"Immigration agents raided Chinatown in NYC with military-style vehicles, masked agents and tactical gear to focus on local sellers working to survive. This operation had nothing to do with community security and focused completely on frightening communities and neighborhoods," stated the leader of a rights organization.

Agency Rules

ICE policy prohibits the arrest of American nationals and the bureau has stated it refrains from arrest or detain American nationals. However, independent reporting has discovered that more than 170 American nationals have been taken illegally by federal agents since the beginning of the present government.

Recent Pattern

Immigration operations have been cropping up increasingly in the state and nationwide this year.

A recent action in the city center was the initial documented operation on an immigrant shelter of the current administration. Rallies targeting ICE are commonplace as are allegations of force and inhumane treatment.

Most recently, a submission provided by civil rights groups alleged inadequate care of women with child in detention centers.