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New York state AG has introduced a recent digital platform asking locals to provide images and footage of federal immigration enforcement around New York. This step comes just a shortly after a high-profile enforcement action shook Chinatown in Manhattan, sparking large-scale protests.

American Citizens Arrested During Enforcement Action

A lawmaker announced during a Wednesday press conference that four American citizens were detained and kept for "almost a full day" following the enforcement action. Demonstrations occurred in NYC on consecutive evenings.

"Each citizen has the right to live without fear," the AG declared in a statement.

"If you witnessed and documented federal operations yesterday, I ask you to share that footage with my office. We are pledged to assessing these reports and investigating any legal breaches."

Portal Features

The portal offers options to send visual evidence of the incident, plus a area to specify location information. Before submitting, submitters must tick a checkbox that acknowledges that "the office may use any materials, images, or footage in a official report, including in a court case or government document."

Information about the Chinatown Raid

The Manhattan operation, which witnesses say included dozens of government officers, occurred in a popular district of NYC where imitation purses, items, goods and other goods are sold daily in large quantities – often to sightseers.

Videos of the operation show numerous hooded and equipped officers zip-tying and detaining a individual, and forcing aside bystanders. Masses of residents pursued the agents down the sidewalks. An military-style transport was also seen traveling down the Manhattan avenues.

Political Response

At a midweek briefing held with the New York immigrant rights coalition, the congressman, a lawmaker, said that four nationals were detained by ICE for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no situations where US citizens should be taken for without cause." He noted the persons were freed on Wednesday with no charges filed.

"The goal is evident here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," Goldman said. "This is a armed campaign to incite tension. It is merely a pretext to provoke conflict for the government to deploy the troops to stop violence that they have created."

Extensive Outcry

Fury over the immigration operation escalated – all three mayoral candidates denounced the operation, along with NY's governor.

"Yet again, the current administration selects authoritarian theatrics that create fear, instead of protection. It needs to cease," a political candidate wrote.

The city's immigrant rights groups expressed outrage as well.

"ICE raided the neighborhood with military-style vehicles, masked agents and tactical gear to go after street vendors working to survive. This raid had no relation to citizen protection and everything to do with frightening communities and neighborhoods," said the leader of a advocacy group.

ICE Policies

Agency rules prohibits the arrest of American nationals and the organization has said it refrains from apprehend American nationals. However, independent reporting has found that over 170 American nationals have been taken illegally by immigration authorities since the beginning of the existing leadership.

Ongoing Trend

Enforcement actions have been cropping up increasingly in New York and across the US recently.

A mid-October raid in midtown Manhattan was the earliest reported action on an housing center of the existing leadership. Rallies opposing ICE are commonplace along with allegations of violence and abusive practices.

Recently, a letter filed by legal entities stated healthcare failures of pregnant women in detention centers.