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The state attorney general has rolled out a new online portal asking residents to submit visual evidence of immigration raids throughout New York. This action comes just a shortly after a significant immigration operation rattled NYC's Chinatown, prompting large-scale outcry.

American Citizens Held In ICE Operation

A congressional representative announced during a news conference that four American citizens were arrested and kept for "nearly 24 hours" after the previous day's operation. Protests broke out in NYC on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"All New York residents has the right to reside free from terror," the AG declared in a statement.

"If you witnessed and documented immigration enforcement yesterday, I urge you to submit that evidence with us. We are dedicated to assessing these accounts and determining any violations of law."

Form Details

The platform includes options to send images and video footage of the raid, plus a section to specify location information. Before submitting, users must check a box that confirms that "the office might employ any evidence provided in a official report, including in a lawsuit or public report."

Details of the ICE Action

The enforcement action, which onlookers say involved dozens of federal agents, took place in a famous area of NYC where counterfeit purses, items, goods and merchandise are sold daily widely – often to visitors.

Recordings of the operation show multiple hooded and equipped personnel restraining and arresting a individual, and pushing back bystanders. Crowds of New Yorkers pursued the personnel through the streets. An armored military vehicle was noticed moving along the city streets.

Political Response

In a Wednesday press conference held with the New York immigrant rights coalition, the congressman, a Democrat, announced that four US citizens were detained by ICE for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where nationals should be taken for unjustly." He clarified the persons were released on Wednesday with no accusations made.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not to take criminals off the street," he said. "This constitutes a militarized effort to provoke unrest. It is merely a justification to generate turmoil for the government to utilize the troops to halt unrest that they themselves caused."

Broad Criticism

Anger over the ICE raid rapidly grew – every NYC mayor hopefuls condemned the operation, as did the state leader.

"Once again, the current administration selects oppressive displays that create fear, instead of protection. It has to end," a contender declared.

The city's immigrant rights groups expressed outrage also.

"ICE descended on Manhattan's Chinatown with military-style vehicles, masked agents and protective equipment to go after local sellers attempting to earn income. This action had no connection to community security and everything to do with frightening communities and communities," said the leader of a major immigrant coalition.

Agency Rules

Agency rules bans the arrest of American nationals and the bureau has stated it will not take into custody citizens. Nevertheless, external research has found that numerous citizens have been detained unlawfully by ICE since the start of the existing leadership.

Current Situation

ICE raids have been becoming more common in the state and around the country recently.

A mid-October raid in the city center was the first known raid on an housing center of the current administration. Rallies against ICE are commonplace as are accusations of aggression and cruel conditions.

Latest, a document filed by legal entities stated medical neglect of expectant mothers in government custody.