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New York state attorney general has rolled out a fresh online portal encouraging citizens to provide visual evidence of ICE operations throughout the state. This step comes just a shortly after a significant ICE raid rattled Manhattan's Chinatown, sparking mass protests.

American Citizens Arrested During Raid

A US congressman revealed during a midweek briefing that four citizens were arrested and kept for "nearly 24 hours" after the enforcement action. Demonstrations broke out in NYC on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"All New York residents has the right to reside free from terror," the AG wrote in a announcement.

"Anyone who observed and documented federal operations yesterday, I urge you to submit that footage with my office. We are dedicated to reviewing these reports and determining any wrongdoings."

Portal Features

The platform includes options to upload photos and videos of the incident, plus a area to specify where it occurred. Before submitting, users must tick a box that acknowledges that "the attorney general may use any documents, photographs, or videos in a official report, including in a court case or official statement."

Details of the Chinatown Raid

The Chinatown raid, which witnesses say involved more than 50 ICE personnel, occurred in a famous neighborhood of the city where counterfeit handbags, accessories, jewelry and additional items are commonly traded widely – often to visitors.

Footage of the incident depict multiple hooded and equipped personnel securing and holding a man, and pushing back onlookers. Throngs of New Yorkers followed the agents down the sidewalks. An military-style transport was observed traveling down the Manhattan avenues.

Political Response

In a Wednesday press conference featuring the immigrant advocacy group, Representative Goldman, a lawmaker, announced that four US citizens were taken by federal agents for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where US citizens should be detained for without cause." He said the citizens were released on Wednesday with no charges filed.

"The intent is obvious here. It is not to take criminals off the street," the congressman said. "This represents a militarized effort to create conflict. It is purely a pretext to incite violence for the government to deploy the troops to halt conflict that they initiated."

Broad Criticism

Anger over the immigration operation escalated – each of the NYC mayor hopefuls condemned the raid, along with the state leader.

"Repeatedly, the current administration chooses authoritarian theatrics that instill panic, not safety. It must stop," one mayoral candidate wrote.

The city's advocacy organizations expressed outrage also.

"ICE targeted Chinatown in NYC with military-style vehicles, masked agents and tactical gear to target street vendors trying to make a living. This operation had no relation to citizen protection and focused completely on terrorizing immigrant families and neighborhoods," stated the leader of a advocacy group.

Official Guidelines

Official guidelines bans the detention of US citizens and the agency has said it refrains from arrest or detain citizens. Yet, independent reporting has found that over 170 US citizens have been detained unlawfully by immigration authorities during the period of the current administration.

Ongoing Trend

ICE raids have been rising in frequency in the state and around the country lately.

A mid-October raid in central NYC was the initial documented operation on an immigrant shelter of the current administration. Rallies targeting ICE are commonplace as are allegations of aggression and inhumane treatment.

Most recently, a letter filed by civil rights groups alleged medical neglect of expectant mothers in detention centers.