🔗 Share this article

The state attorney general has launched a recent digital platform encouraging locals to share images and footage of federal immigration enforcement throughout New York. This move comes just a day after a high-profile ICE raid shook Chinatown in Manhattan, prompting widespread protests.

American Citizens Arrested During Raid

A lawmaker revealed during a Wednesday press conference that four US citizens were taken into custody and detained for "almost a full day" after Tuesday's raid. Protests erupted in NYC on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

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

"If you witnessed and documented federal operations recently, I ask you to submit that evidence with my office. We are committed to assessing these accounts and evaluating any wrongdoings."

Portal Features

The portal provides spaces to send visual evidence of the incident, as well as a field to specify geographic details. When submitting, individuals must mark a option that states that "the attorney general may use any evidence provided in a public document, including in a legal proceeding or official statement."

Information about the ICE Action

The enforcement action, which witnesses say included dozens of federal agents, happened in a popular district of NYC where imitation handbags, accessories, jewelry and other goods are sold daily in large quantities – often to tourists.

Videos of the incident show multiple covered and weaponized personnel zip-tying and detaining a man, and pushing back witnesses. Crowds of locals pursued the personnel along the roads. An armored truck was observed moving along the Manhattan avenues.

Political Response

In a news conference held with the immigrant advocacy group, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democrat, stated that four nationals were detained by ICE for about 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where four American citizens should be taken for without cause." He clarified the citizens were released on the following day with no accusations made.

"The goal is evident here. It is not to take criminals off the street," he said. "This represents a armed campaign to create conflict. It is merely a pretext to provoke conflict for the government to deploy the armed forces to stop unrest that they have created."

Broad Criticism

Anger over the immigration operation rapidly grew – all three NYC mayor hopefuls criticized the raid, including NY's governor.

"Repeatedly, the current administration selects heavy-handed tactics that create fear, rather than security. It has to end," a political candidate wrote.

NYC immigrant rights groups expressed outrage too.

"Immigration agents targeted the neighborhood with military-style vehicles, covered personnel and tactical gear to target small merchants trying to make a living. This action had no relation to citizen protection and was entirely about frightening communities and neighborhoods," stated the head of a rights organization.

Official Guidelines

Agency rules bans the detention of US citizens and the agency has stated it will not apprehend US citizens. Nevertheless, independent reporting has discovered that over 170 US citizens have been taken illegally by immigration authorities since the beginning of the current administration.

Current Situation

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

A recent action in the city center was the initial documented operation on an housing center of the existing leadership. Rallies opposing immigration enforcement are widespread including accusations of force and abusive practices.

Latest, a document provided by civil rights groups alleged medical neglect of expectant mothers in ICE facilities.