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New York state attorney general has launched a new digital platform urging residents to share visual evidence of ICE operations around the state. This step follows a day after a significant ICE raid disrupted NYC's Chinatown, triggering mass outcry.

US Citizens Held During Raid

A congressional representative revealed during a Wednesday press conference that four American citizens were detained and detained for "nearly 24 hours" following the previous day's operation. Demonstrations broke out in New York on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

"Each citizen is entitled to reside free from terror," the AG wrote in a statement.

"For those who saw and recorded immigration enforcement recently, I urge you to share that material with my office. We are committed to examining these submissions and determining any legal breaches."

Form Details

The form provides fields to send visual evidence of the raid, plus a field to indicate geographic details. Before submitting, submitters must check a box that confirms that "the office could utilize any evidence provided in a public document, including in a court case or public report."

Details of the ICE Action

The Manhattan operation, which witnesses say included over fifty ICE personnel, took place in a popular district of NYC where counterfeit handbags, accessories, jewelry and additional items are sold daily en masse – typically to tourists.

Recordings of Tuesday's raid depict multiple hooded and equipped personnel securing and holding a individual, and shoving away onlookers. Throngs of New Yorkers trailed the agents through the streets. An armored truck was also seen moving along the Manhattan avenues.

Official Reactions

In a midweek briefing organized with the New York immigrant rights coalition, Representative Goldman, a Democratic representative, stated that four US citizens were detained by ICE for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no circumstances where four American citizens should be detained for without cause." He said the individuals were let go on Wednesday with no accusations made.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," Goldman remarked. "This is a military-style operation to provoke unrest. It is merely a excuse to incite violence for federal officials to deploy the troops to halt violence that they initiated."

Widespread Condemnation

Anger over the federal action rapidly grew – all three NYC mayor hopefuls denounced the incident, including the state leader.

"Yet again, the Trump administration selects oppressive displays that create fear, rather than security. It has to end," a contender stated.

The city's advocacy organizations expressed outrage too.

"Federal officers descended on the neighborhood with military-style vehicles, covered personnel and tactical gear to target small merchants working to survive. This action had no relation to community security and focused completely on intimidating residents and neighborhoods," said the head of a rights organization.

Official Guidelines

Official guidelines prohibits the arrest of American nationals and the bureau has stated it does not arrest or detain US citizens. Nevertheless, investigative journalism has discovered that more than 170 US citizens have been detained unlawfully by federal agents since the start of the existing leadership.

Current Situation

Enforcement actions have been rising in frequency in the state and nationwide this year.

A mid-October raid in midtown Manhattan was the first known raid on an housing center of the present government. Rallies targeting immigration enforcement are widespread along with allegations of aggression and cruel conditions.

Latest, a letter provided by civil rights groups stated healthcare failures of women with child in government custody.