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New York state AG has rolled out a recent digital platform asking residents to share photos and videos of federal immigration enforcement around New York. This step follows a day after a significant immigration operation rattled Manhattan's Chinatown, sparking widespread demonstrations.

American Citizens Arrested In Raid

A US congressman revealed during a midweek briefing that four American citizens were detained and kept for "almost a full day" following Tuesday's raid. Protests broke out in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"All New York residents deserves to reside free from terror," state officials wrote in a release.

"For those who saw and captured federal operations yesterday, I ask you to submit that footage with us. We are dedicated to reviewing these submissions and investigating any legal breaches."

Portal Features

The portal provides options to upload visual evidence of the operation, along with a field to specify geographic details. Before submitting, submitters must tick a box that confirms that "the attorney general could utilize any documents, photographs, or videos in a public document, including in a legal proceeding or official statement."

Details of the ICE Action

The enforcement action, which onlookers say involved over fifty ICE personnel, occurred in a popular district of the city where fake purses, items, goods and additional items are sold daily en masse – frequently to visitors.

Videos of Tuesday's raid reveal several masked and armed federal agents securing and holding a man, and shoving away onlookers. Throngs of locals followed the agents along the roads. An armored truck was noticed rolling through the urban roads.

Official Reactions

During a midweek briefing held with the New York immigrant rights coalition, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democrat, said that four American citizens were detained by ICE for about 24 hours and that there were "no circumstances where nationals should be detained for without cause." He noted the individuals were let go on the following day with no legal action taken.

"The goal is evident here. It is not about removing offenders," he stated. "This is a militarized effort to provoke unrest. It is simply a justification to generate turmoil for the government to deploy the armed forces to prevent unrest that they themselves caused."

Extensive Outcry

Fury over the federal action escalated – all three political contenders denounced the raid, including the state leader.

"Yet again, the current administration selects oppressive displays that generate terror, not safety. It must stop," one mayoral candidate declared.

The city's advocacy organizations spoke out too.

"Immigration agents raided the neighborhood with armored transports, hooded officers and protective equipment to target local sellers trying to make a living. This raid had no relation to community security and was entirely about intimidating residents and communities," stated the leader of a advocacy group.

Agency Rules

ICE policy bans the arrest of American nationals and the organization has said it will not apprehend US citizens. However, independent reporting has found that numerous American nationals have been held against their will by federal agents since the beginning of the current administration.

Recent Pattern

Immigration operations have been cropping up increasingly in New York and nationwide lately.

A recent action in central NYC was the first known raid on an immigrant shelter of the current administration. Protests against federal operations are ubiquitous including claims of force and inhumane treatment.

Latest, a submission submitted by advocacy organizations alleged inadequate care of women with child in government custody.