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The state AG has introduced a new digital platform asking residents to provide visual evidence of federal immigration enforcement throughout the state. This move comes just a day after a major immigration operation shook NYC's Chinatown, sparking widespread demonstrations.

US Citizens Detained In Raid

A lawmaker disclosed during a news conference that four American citizens were taken into custody and held for "about 24 hours" after the enforcement action. Demonstrations erupted in NYC on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

"Each citizen is entitled to reside free from terror," the attorney general stated in a statement.

"For those who saw and recorded ICE activity during the raid, I encourage you to provide that footage with us. We are pledged to assessing these accounts and investigating any violations of law."

Form Details

The portal includes fields to submit visual evidence of the operation, as well as a area to indicate geographic details. Prior to sending, submitters must check a option that states that "the office may use any documents, photographs, or videos in a public document, such as in a legal proceeding or government document."

Information about the Manhattan Operation

The Manhattan operation, which onlookers say involved dozens of government officers, happened in a famous neighborhood of the city where fake purses, items, goods and merchandise are regularly available en masse – often to tourists.

Footage of Tuesday's raid depict several hooded and equipped federal agents zip-tying and detaining a man, and pushing back onlookers. Masses of locals trailed the officers through the streets. An armored military vehicle was noticed rolling through the Manhattan avenues.

Official Reactions

In a midweek briefing organized with the rights organization, the congressman, a Democratic representative, stated that four nationals were arrested by immigration for about 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where nationals should be detained for unjustly." He noted the citizens were let go on the following day with no legal action taken.

"The intent is obvious here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," he said. "This is a military-style operation to provoke unrest. It is purely a justification to provoke conflict for this administration to deploy the military to prevent conflict that they themselves caused."

Extensive Outcry

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

"Yet again, the federal government selects authoritarian theatrics that instill panic, not safety. It must stop," a contender wrote.

New York City community groups expressed outrage too.

"Federal officers targeted Manhattan's Chinatown with military-style vehicles, hooded officers and protective equipment to target small merchants working to survive. This operation had no connection to citizen protection and everything to do with terrorizing immigrant families and communities," said the president of a rights organization.

Official Guidelines

ICE policy prohibits the detention of US citizens and the organization has claimed it does not arrest or detain citizens. Nevertheless, investigative journalism has found that over 170 American nationals have been taken illegally by immigration authorities since the start of the current administration.

Recent Pattern

Immigration operations have been becoming more common in NY and nationwide lately.

An October operation in central NYC was the initial documented operation on an housing center of the existing leadership. Protests opposing immigration enforcement are commonplace as are allegations of aggression and cruel conditions.

Latest, a letter provided by civil rights groups alleged medical neglect of pregnant women in ICE facilities.