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New York state attorney general has introduced a fresh online portal encouraging citizens to submit images and footage of ICE operations throughout New York. This step comes just a day after a high-profile immigration operation shook NYC's Chinatown, prompting large-scale outcry.

US Citizens Arrested In ICE Operation

A congressional representative revealed during a news conference that four US citizens were detained and kept for "nearly 24 hours" following the enforcement action. Protests occurred in the city on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

"All New York residents is entitled to reside free from terror," the attorney general wrote in a announcement.

"If you witnessed and captured ICE activity yesterday, I ask you to provide that material with the authorities. We are pledged to reviewing these accounts and evaluating any wrongdoings."

Portal Features

The platform provides fields to upload visual evidence of the incident, along with a area to indicate where it occurred. When submitting, submitters must check a checkbox that states that "authorities may use any materials, images, or footage in a public document, including in a lawsuit or government document."

Details of the Chinatown Raid

The enforcement action, which observers say featured more than 50 federal agents, happened in a famous area of the city where counterfeit purses, items, goods and merchandise are commonly traded en masse – typically to sightseers.

Videos of the operation depict several hooded and equipped federal agents securing and holding a man, and pushing back bystanders. Masses of New Yorkers trailed the agents along the roads. An armored military vehicle was observed traveling down the Manhattan avenues.

Official Reactions

In a midweek briefing held with the New York immigrant rights coalition, the congressman, a Democrat, announced that four American citizens were taken by federal agents for about 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where four American citizens should be detained for no reason." He noted the citizens were released on the following day with no charges filed.

"The goal is evident here. It is not about removing offenders," the congressman remarked. "This constitutes a military-style operation to provoke unrest. It is purely a pretext to incite violence for the government to bring in the troops to stop violence that they initiated."

Broad Criticism

Fury over the ICE raid quickly spread – each of the political contenders condemned the raid, as did Governor Kathy Hochul.

"Once again, the Trump administration selects heavy-handed tactics that create fear, instead of protection. It has to end," a contender stated.

The city's community groups spoke out as well.

"ICE descended on Chinatown in NYC with tactical trucks, masked agents and protective equipment to target small merchants trying to make a living. This operation had no relation to public safety and was entirely about terrorizing immigrant families and areas," remarked the president of a advocacy group.

Agency Rules

ICE policy bans the arrest of American nationals and the organization has stated it does not arrest or detain citizens. Nevertheless, independent reporting has found that more than 170 US citizens have been detained unlawfully by ICE since the start of the existing leadership.

Current Situation

ICE raids have been cropping up increasingly in New York and across the US lately.

A mid-October raid in the city center was the initial documented operation on an housing center of the current administration. Protests targeting federal operations are widespread including accusations of aggression and inhumane treatment.

Recently, a letter filed by legal entities alleged medical neglect of women with child in government custody.