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The state attorney general has launched a fresh online portal asking citizens to submit visual evidence of federal immigration enforcement throughout New York. This action follows a day after a significant enforcement action disrupted Manhattan's Chinatown, triggering mass protests.

US Citizens Detained In ICE Operation

A congressional representative announced during a Wednesday press conference that four citizens were detained and detained for "almost a full day" following the enforcement action. Rallies broke out in NYC on consecutive evenings.

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

"For those who saw and recorded ICE activity during the raid, I urge you to provide that material with the authorities. We are pledged to assessing these reports and investigating any wrongdoings."

Portal Features

The portal includes fields to upload photos and videos of the incident, as well as a field to indicate where it occurred. Prior to sending, users must tick a option that acknowledges that "the office could utilize any evidence provided in a public document, including in a court case or official statement."

Details of the ICE Action

The Chinatown raid, which observers say featured dozens of government officers, took place in a well-known district of Manhattan where counterfeit purses, items, goods and other goods are commonly traded in large quantities – often to sightseers.

Recordings of Tuesday's raid depict several covered and weaponized officers restraining and arresting a person, and shoving away witnesses. Crowds of residents trailed the agents down the sidewalks. An military-style transport was noticed moving along the urban roads.

Political Response

At a Wednesday press conference featuring the rights organization, the congressman, a Democratic representative, announced that four US citizens were arrested by immigration for almost a full day and that there were "no circumstances where four American citizens should be arrested for unjustly." He clarified the individuals were let go on the following day with no legal action taken.

"The goal is evident here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," Goldman said. "This is a militarized effort to create conflict. It is simply a pretext to incite violence for the government to utilize the military to stop conflict that they themselves caused."

Widespread Condemnation

Outrage over the ICE raid escalated – all three NYC mayor hopefuls denounced the operation, including the state leader.

"Once again, the current administration opts for heavy-handed tactics that instill panic, rather than security. It has to end," a contender stated.

New York City community groups voiced concern also.

"ICE targeted the neighborhood with armored transports, masked agents and riot gear to target local sellers trying to make a living. This operation had no connection to community security and was entirely about frightening communities and neighborhoods," stated the leader of a rights organization.

Official Guidelines

Official guidelines bans the arrest of American nationals and the bureau has stated it will not take into custody citizens. Yet, independent reporting has discovered that more than 170 US citizens have been held against their will by immigration authorities since the start of the existing leadership.

Current Situation

ICE raids have been cropping up increasingly in the state and nationwide lately.

A mid-October raid in the city center was the earliest reported action on an housing center of the current administration. Rallies against ICE are commonplace along with accusations of violence and cruel conditions.

Most recently, a document filed by civil rights groups alleged healthcare failures of expectant mothers in government custody.