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The state attorney general has rolled out a recent reporting form asking citizens to submit images and footage of immigration raids across the state. This step follows a shortly after a significant enforcement action rattled NYC's Chinatown, triggering widespread demonstrations.

American Citizens Detained In Raid

A US congressman revealed during a midweek briefing that four citizens were arrested and kept for "almost a full day" after Tuesday's raid. Rallies occurred in NYC on consecutive evenings.

"All New York residents has the right to exist without intimidation," the attorney general declared in a release.

"Anyone who observed and captured ICE activity yesterday, I urge you to submit that evidence with us. We are dedicated to assessing these reports and evaluating any violations of law."

Submission Process

The form provides spaces to upload images and video footage of the raid, plus a field to specify where it occurred. Prior to sending, submitters must check a option that confirms that "authorities could utilize any evidence provided in a public document, such as in a lawsuit or public report."

Details of the ICE Action

The enforcement action, which observers say included over fifty federal agents, occurred in a popular area of the city where counterfeit purses, items, goods and merchandise are sold daily en masse – often to sightseers.

Recordings of the operation depict multiple masked and armed officers securing and holding a person, and pushing back witnesses. Throngs of locals followed the agents down the sidewalks. An military-style transport was observed traveling down the Manhattan avenues.

Official Reactions

During a Wednesday press conference held with the rights organization, the congressman, a lawmaker, stated that four nationals were arrested by immigration for about 24 hours and that there were "no situations where US citizens should be detained for no reason." He clarified the citizens were released on Wednesday with no accusations made.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not about removing offenders," Goldman said. "This represents a militarized effort to provoke unrest. It is merely a justification to generate turmoil for federal officials to bring in the military to halt conflict that they initiated."

Widespread Condemnation

Anger over the immigration operation quickly spread – all three NYC mayor hopefuls denounced the raid, including the state leader.

"Once again, the federal government selects authoritarian theatrics that generate terror, rather than security. It needs to cease," one mayoral candidate stated.

The city's advocacy organizations voiced concern as well.

"ICE descended on Chinatown in NYC with armored transports, masked agents and riot gear to go after street vendors trying to make a living. This operation had no connection to community security and focused completely on intimidating residents and areas," stated the president of a advocacy group.

Agency Rules

Official guidelines bans the detention of US citizens and the organization has said it refrains from apprehend American nationals. Yet, external research has found that more than 170 American nationals have been taken illegally by immigration authorities since the beginning of the current administration.

Current Situation

Enforcement actions have been cropping up increasingly in New York and nationwide this year.

An October operation in midtown Manhattan was the first known raid on an housing center of the current administration. Demonstrations opposing ICE are commonplace along with allegations of force and abusive practices.

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