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The state attorney general has launched a fresh reporting form encouraging residents to provide visual evidence of ICE operations around the state. This action follows a day after a major enforcement action rattled Manhattan's Chinatown, prompting large-scale demonstrations.

US Citizens Arrested During ICE Operation

A US congressman revealed during a midweek briefing that four American citizens were arrested and detained for "almost a full day" following the previous day's operation. Rallies occurred in the city on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"Every New Yorker deserves to exist without intimidation," the attorney general wrote in a statement.

"For those who saw and documented immigration enforcement during the raid, I urge you to share that evidence with my office. We are dedicated to assessing these accounts and determining any violations of law."

Form Details

The portal includes options to upload images and video footage of the raid, plus a section to specify geographic details. When submitting, submitters must check a option that confirms that "authorities might employ any materials, images, or footage in a official report, including in a lawsuit or public report."

Details of the Manhattan Operation

The enforcement action, which observers say included dozens of government officers, happened in a popular area of NYC where imitation handbags, accessories, jewelry and merchandise are regularly available in large quantities – frequently to sightseers.

Footage of the operation reveal several hooded and equipped officers restraining and arresting a person, and pushing back witnesses. Crowds of residents trailed the agents along the roads. An armored truck was also seen traveling down the Manhattan avenues.

Official Reactions

During a news conference featuring the New York immigrant rights coalition, the congressman, a Democratic representative, said that four US citizens were detained by ICE for almost a full day and that there were "no situations where four American citizens should be taken for unjustly." He said the individuals were let go on Wednesday with no legal action taken.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not about removing offenders," the congressman stated. "This is a military-style operation to provoke unrest. It is purely a justification to provoke conflict for this administration to utilize the military to halt violence that they initiated."

Extensive Outcry

Outrage over the immigration operation rapidly grew – every NYC mayor hopefuls denounced the operation, including NY's governor.

"Once again, the current administration selects oppressive displays that generate terror, rather than security. It needs to cease," a contender stated.

NYC advocacy organizations expressed outrage also.

"Federal officers targeted the neighborhood with military-style vehicles, covered personnel and riot gear to go after small merchants working to survive. This operation had no connection to community security and was entirely about intimidating residents and areas," stated the president of a advocacy group.

Official Guidelines

Agency rules forbids the arrest of American nationals and the bureau has stated it will not arrest or detain US citizens. However, independent reporting has discovered that more than 170 citizens have been detained unlawfully by ICE since the beginning of the present government.

Ongoing Trend

Immigration operations have been rising in frequency in the state and nationwide lately.

An October operation in central NYC was the first known raid on an refuge facility of the current administration. Demonstrations against ICE are ubiquitous along with claims of aggression and cruel conditions.

Recently, a letter provided by civil rights groups claimed medical neglect of women with child in ICE facilities.