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New York state attorney general has rolled out a new digital platform asking residents to share images and footage of ICE operations throughout New York. This action comes just a shortly after a major enforcement action rattled Chinatown in Manhattan, triggering large-scale protests.

US Citizens Held During Enforcement Action

A congressional representative revealed during a news conference that four American citizens were taken into custody and held for "nearly 24 hours" following Tuesday's raid. Demonstrations occurred in NYC on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

"Each citizen is entitled to exist without intimidation," the attorney general wrote in a release.

"Anyone who observed and captured federal operations recently, I ask you to submit that evidence with us. We are pledged to assessing these submissions and determining any wrongdoings."

Portal Features

The platform provides fields to upload images and video footage of the incident, as well as a section to specify location information. When submitting, users must check a option that acknowledges that "authorities might employ any materials, images, or footage in a public document, such as in a lawsuit or public report."

Information about the Manhattan Operation

The Chinatown raid, which observers say featured over fifty ICE personnel, took place in a popular district of Manhattan where counterfeit handbags, accessories, jewelry and merchandise are sold daily widely – frequently to sightseers.

Recordings of Tuesday's raid show numerous masked and armed federal agents restraining and arresting a individual, and shoving away witnesses. Masses of residents trailed the personnel down the sidewalks. An armored military vehicle was observed moving along the Manhattan avenues.

Political Response

At a midweek briefing held with the rights organization, the congressman, a lawmaker, stated that four American citizens were taken by federal agents for about 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where nationals should be detained for no reason." He clarified the persons were let go on the following day with no accusations made.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not to take criminals off the street," he said. "This constitutes a militarized effort to incite tension. It is merely a excuse to incite violence for federal officials to bring in the armed forces to halt violence that they initiated."

Broad Criticism

Fury over the ICE raid quickly spread – each of the political contenders denounced the raid, along with NY's governor.

"Repeatedly, the Trump administration selects authoritarian theatrics that generate terror, instead of protection. It has to end," one mayoral candidate declared.

NYC immigrant rights groups expressed outrage too.

"ICE raided the neighborhood with tactical trucks, hooded officers and riot gear to target local sellers attempting to earn income. This action had nothing to do with public safety and was entirely about intimidating residents and areas," remarked the leader of a rights organization.

Agency Rules

ICE policy bans the holding of citizens and the agency has claimed it does not apprehend US citizens. However, external research has found that more than 170 citizens have been detained unlawfully by federal agents since the beginning of the existing leadership.

Current Situation

ICE raids have been cropping up increasingly in NY and around the country recently.

A recent action in the city center was the first known raid on an immigrant shelter of the current administration. Demonstrations against ICE are widespread along with allegations of force and cruel conditions.

Latest, a submission submitted by legal entities claimed healthcare failures of pregnant women in government custody.