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New York state AG has launched a fresh online portal asking locals to provide visual evidence of immigration raids throughout New York. This step comes just a day after a significant enforcement action rattled Manhattan's Chinatown, sparking widespread outcry.

American Citizens Arrested During Raid

A congressional representative announced during a Wednesday press conference that four American citizens were arrested and kept for "almost a full day" following the previous day's operation. Protests occurred in the city on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"Every New Yorker deserves to exist without intimidation," state officials stated in a statement.

"Anyone who observed and recorded federal operations yesterday, I encourage you to provide that footage with us. We are pledged to examining these accounts and evaluating any violations of law."

Submission Process

The portal offers fields to send visual evidence of the raid, plus a field to note where it occurred. Prior to sending, users must mark a box that confirms that "the office could utilize any documents, photographs, or videos in a official report, such as in a lawsuit or official statement."

Information about the Manhattan Operation

The Chinatown raid, which witnesses say featured more than 50 government officers, happened in a popular neighborhood of NYC where imitation purses, items, goods and additional items are sold daily in large quantities – often to sightseers.

Videos of Tuesday's raid reveal several masked and armed officers zip-tying and detaining a individual, and pushing back onlookers. Crowds of residents followed the officers down the sidewalks. An armored truck was observed moving along the Manhattan avenues.

Leadership Statements

At a midweek briefing organized with the rights organization, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democratic representative, said that four American citizens were taken by federal agents for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where US citizens should be detained for no reason." He clarified the citizens were freed on Wednesday with no charges filed.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not about removing offenders," Goldman stated. "This constitutes a armed campaign to incite tension. It is merely a justification to generate turmoil for federal officials to deploy the troops to prevent violence that they themselves caused."

Widespread Condemnation

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

"Once again, the Trump administration chooses oppressive displays that instill panic, rather than security. It needs to cease," a political candidate declared.

NYC immigrant rights groups spoke out too.

"Immigration agents descended on Chinatown in NYC with armored transports, masked agents and tactical gear to target local sellers attempting to earn income. This raid had no relation to citizen protection and everything to do with intimidating residents and communities," remarked the leader of a rights organization.

Official Guidelines

Agency rules forbids the holding of citizens and the bureau has said it does not take into custody US citizens. Yet, investigative journalism has revealed that more than 170 citizens have been held against their will by federal agents during the period of the present government.

Recent Pattern

Immigration operations have been cropping up increasingly in the state and nationwide lately.

A mid-October raid in midtown Manhattan was the first known raid on an housing center of the existing leadership. Demonstrations targeting ICE are widespread as are claims of force and inhumane treatment.

Latest, a submission submitted by advocacy organizations alleged medical neglect of women with child in ICE facilities.