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The state AG has introduced a fresh digital platform urging residents to submit visual evidence of immigration raids around the state. This action comes just a day after a high-profile ICE raid disrupted NYC's Chinatown, prompting mass demonstrations.

US Citizens Arrested During Raid

A lawmaker revealed during a Wednesday press conference that four US citizens were taken into custody and kept for "nearly 24 hours" following the previous day's operation. Demonstrations broke out in the city on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

"Every New Yorker deserves to exist without intimidation," the AG wrote in a statement.

"For those who saw and captured immigration enforcement yesterday, I encourage you to share that footage with us. We are dedicated to reviewing these accounts and determining any legal breaches."

Portal Features

The platform includes spaces to submit photos and videos of the incident, along with a area to specify where it occurred. Prior to sending, users must mark a checkbox that confirms that "the office might employ any evidence provided in a official report, such as in a lawsuit or official statement."

Information about the ICE Action

The Chinatown raid, which witnesses say featured more than 50 federal agents, happened in a well-known neighborhood of the city where counterfeit products and other goods are sold daily in large quantities – frequently to tourists.

Recordings of the incident show multiple covered and weaponized federal agents securing and holding a person, and forcing aside onlookers. Masses of locals followed the personnel down the sidewalks. An armored military vehicle was observed moving along the Manhattan avenues.

Leadership Statements

At a news conference held with the New York immigrant rights coalition, the congressman, a lawmaker, stated that four nationals were taken by federal agents for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no situations where nationals should be arrested for unjustly." He clarified the citizens were released on the following day with no legal action taken.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not about removing offenders," he remarked. "This is a militarized effort to create conflict. It is purely a excuse to provoke conflict for the government to deploy the troops to stop unrest that they themselves caused."

Extensive Outcry

Anger over the immigration operation rapidly grew – all three NYC mayor hopefuls condemned the operation, as did NY's governor.

"Yet again, the Trump administration opts for authoritarian theatrics that create fear, rather than security. It needs to cease," one mayoral candidate wrote.

New York City community groups expressed outrage also.

"Federal officers targeted Manhattan's Chinatown with tactical trucks, hooded officers and tactical gear to focus on street vendors attempting to earn income. This raid had nothing to do with public safety and focused completely on intimidating residents and communities," stated the leader of a rights organization.

ICE Policies

Official guidelines prohibits the holding of citizens and the agency has stated it will not arrest or detain citizens. Nevertheless, investigative journalism has discovered that numerous American nationals have been taken illegally by immigration authorities since the start of the present government.

Current Situation

Enforcement actions have been cropping up increasingly in the state and across the US recently.

A mid-October raid in midtown Manhattan was the initial documented operation on an refuge facility of the current administration. Protests targeting immigration enforcement are commonplace as are accusations of force and cruel conditions.

Latest, a submission filed by legal entities alleged medical neglect of pregnant women in detention centers.