🔗 Share this article

New York state AG has rolled out a recent reporting form urging citizens to submit images and footage of federal immigration enforcement across New York. This move comes just a day after a major ICE raid disrupted Manhattan's Chinatown, prompting widespread outcry.

US Citizens Held In Raid

A US congressman disclosed during a Wednesday press conference that four citizens were detained and kept for "nearly 24 hours" following Tuesday's raid. Demonstrations erupted in New York on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

"Every New Yorker has the right to reside free from terror," state officials wrote in a announcement.

"For those who saw and recorded federal operations during the raid, I ask you to share that footage with the authorities. We are dedicated to examining these accounts and determining any legal breaches."

Portal Features

The portal provides fields to send photos and videos of the incident, as well as a section to specify location information. Before submitting, users must tick a box that acknowledges that "the office might employ any documents, photographs, or videos in a public document, including in a court case or official statement."

Details of the Manhattan Operation

The enforcement action, which observers say featured more than 50 ICE personnel, occurred in a well-known district of the city where imitation products and other goods are commonly traded in large quantities – typically to visitors.

Footage of the operation show several hooded and equipped officers securing and holding a man, and shoving away witnesses. Crowds of locals followed the personnel down the sidewalks. An military-style transport was also seen moving along the city streets.

Official Reactions

At a news conference organized with the immigrant advocacy group, Representative Goldman, a Democrat, stated that four American citizens were arrested by immigration for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no situations where four American citizens should be taken for unjustly." He noted the persons were released on the following day with no charges filed.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not to take criminals off the street," the congressman stated. "This constitutes a armed campaign to provoke unrest. It is purely a excuse to provoke conflict for the government to deploy the military to stop violence that they have created."

Extensive Outcry

Anger over the ICE raid rapidly grew – every mayoral candidates condemned the operation, including Governor Kathy Hochul.

"Once again, the federal government selects authoritarian theatrics that create fear, rather than security. It must stop," one mayoral candidate wrote.

The city's immigrant rights groups spoke out too.

"Immigration agents targeted Chinatown in NYC with tactical trucks, masked agents and riot gear to focus on local sellers trying to make a living. This action had nothing to do with community security and focused completely on intimidating residents and neighborhoods," stated the head of a major immigrant coalition.

ICE Policies

ICE policy prohibits the holding of citizens and the organization has said it does not take into custody citizens. Nevertheless, external research has found that numerous American nationals have been detained unlawfully by immigration authorities since the start of the present government.

Ongoing Trend

Immigration operations have been cropping up increasingly in the state and across the US this year.

A mid-October raid in the city center was the first known raid on an housing center of the current administration. Demonstrations opposing federal operations are ubiquitous including claims of force and cruel conditions.

Latest, a document filed by advocacy organizations stated healthcare failures of women with child in ICE facilities.