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The state attorney general has launched a new online portal encouraging citizens to provide visual evidence of ICE operations around the state. This action comes just a shortly after a high-profile enforcement action shook NYC's Chinatown, sparking mass protests.

American Citizens Detained During Raid

A congressional representative announced during a news conference that four US citizens were arrested and kept for "almost a full day" following the enforcement action. Demonstrations occurred in the city on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

"All New York residents is entitled to live without fear," the attorney general wrote in a release.

"Anyone who observed and captured ICE activity recently, I encourage you to submit that footage with my office. We are pledged to assessing these reports and evaluating any wrongdoings."

Portal Features

The form provides fields to submit photos and videos of the raid, along with a area to note where it occurred. When submitting, users must mark a box that acknowledges that "authorities might employ any materials, images, or footage in a legal proceeding, such as in a court case or government document."

Information about the Manhattan Operation

The enforcement action, which onlookers say featured more than 50 ICE personnel, happened in a popular district of the city where counterfeit handbags, accessories, jewelry and merchandise are commonly traded widely – frequently to tourists.

Recordings of Tuesday's raid depict numerous masked and armed personnel zip-tying and detaining a person, and pushing back bystanders. Throngs of locals followed the personnel down the sidewalks. An armored truck was noticed moving along the city streets.

Official Reactions

At a Wednesday press conference held with the immigrant advocacy group, the congressman, a lawmaker, said that four nationals were detained by ICE for almost a full day and that there were "no circumstances where US citizens should be taken for no reason." He clarified the individuals were released on the following day with no charges filed.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not to take criminals off the street," he said. "This constitutes a military-style operation to provoke unrest. It is simply a pretext to generate turmoil for federal officials to deploy the troops to stop conflict that they themselves caused."

Broad Criticism

Outrage over the federal action escalated – all three NYC mayor hopefuls denounced the raid, including the state leader.

"Once again, the current administration opts for authoritarian theatrics that instill panic, not safety. It needs to cease," one mayoral candidate declared.

New York City community groups expressed outrage also.

"Immigration agents targeted the neighborhood with military-style vehicles, masked agents and protective equipment to focus on small merchants working to survive. This operation had nothing to do with citizen protection and everything to do with frightening communities and neighborhoods," remarked the president of a advocacy group.

Agency Rules

ICE policy bans the arrest of American nationals and the organization has said it refrains from apprehend US citizens. Nevertheless, investigative journalism has discovered that over 170 US citizens have been detained unlawfully by ICE during the period of the existing leadership.

Recent Pattern

ICE raids have been rising in frequency in New York and across the US recently.

A recent action in central NYC was the earliest reported action on an refuge facility of the present government. Rallies against immigration enforcement are commonplace including claims of force and abusive practices.

Most recently, a letter provided by civil rights groups alleged healthcare failures of expectant mothers in detention centers.