🔗 Share this article New York Introduces Reporting Tool for Residents to Report ICE Footage Following Detentions of Four American Citizens The state AG has launched a recent online portal encouraging citizens to provide visual evidence of immigration raids throughout the state. This step comes just a day after a major ICE raid shook Manhattan's Chinatown, prompting large-scale demonstrations. American Citizens Detained In Raid A congressional representative announced during a news conference that four citizens were taken into custody and kept for "almost a full day" following the previous day's operation. Demonstrations broke out in the city on both Tuesday and Wednesday. "Each citizen is entitled to live without fear," state officials stated in a statement. "If you witnessed and recorded immigration enforcement during the raid, I encourage you to submit that material with us. We are dedicated to reviewing these reports and determining any violations of law." Form Details The portal provides spaces to submit images and video footage of the incident, as well as a field to indicate location information. When submitting, individuals must check a option that acknowledges that "the office could utilize any evidence provided in a official report, such as in a legal proceeding or official statement." Information about the Manhattan Operation The Chinatown raid, which witnesses say featured more than 50 government officers, happened in a well-known neighborhood of the city where fake handbags, accessories, jewelry and other goods are sold daily widely – often to sightseers. Footage of the incident show multiple masked and armed federal agents restraining and arresting a individual, and shoving away onlookers. Masses of New Yorkers pursued the personnel along the roads. An armored military vehicle was observed traveling down the Manhattan avenues. Leadership Statements At a midweek briefing organized with the immigrant advocacy group, Representative Goldman, a Democrat, announced that four US citizens were arrested by immigration for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no situations where nationals should be taken for without cause." He said the individuals were let go on Wednesday with no legal action taken. "There's a clear purpose here. It is not to take criminals off the street," the congressman remarked. "This constitutes a armed campaign to provoke unrest. It is purely a justification to incite violence for the government to deploy the armed forces to stop violence that they have created." Broad Criticism Fury over the immigration operation quickly spread – each of the NYC mayor hopefuls criticized the operation, as did Governor Kathy Hochul. "Once again, the federal government selects heavy-handed tactics that generate terror, rather than security. It has to end," one mayoral candidate stated. New York City community groups spoke out too. "Federal officers descended on Manhattan's Chinatown with armored transports, covered personnel and protective equipment to focus on street vendors attempting to earn income. This action had nothing to do with community security and was entirely about intimidating residents and neighborhoods," remarked the president of a rights organization. ICE Policies Agency rules forbids the arrest of American nationals and the bureau has claimed it refrains from apprehend citizens. Yet, investigative journalism has revealed that over 170 citizens have been detained unlawfully by immigration authorities during the period of the current administration. Recent Pattern Enforcement actions have been rising in frequency in NY and across the US recently. An October operation in the city center was the earliest reported action on an housing center of the current administration. Protests against immigration enforcement are commonplace as are claims of violence and abusive practices. Most recently, a letter provided by civil rights groups alleged inadequate care of pregnant women in ICE facilities.