🔗 Share this article

New York state attorney general has launched a new reporting form urging citizens to share photos and videos of immigration raids around New York. This step comes just a day after a high-profile immigration operation disrupted Chinatown in Manhattan, triggering widespread outcry.

American Citizens Held During ICE Operation

A lawmaker revealed during a midweek briefing that four American citizens were taken into custody and detained for "almost a full day" after the enforcement action. Rallies occurred in NYC on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

"All New York residents is entitled to reside free from terror," state officials declared in a release.

"For those who saw and documented immigration enforcement yesterday, I ask you to share that footage with us. We are committed to assessing these accounts and determining any wrongdoings."

Form Details

The form provides fields to send visual evidence of the operation, along with a section to note geographic details. Before submitting, submitters must check a box that states that "authorities could utilize any evidence provided in a public document, such as in a lawsuit or government document."

Details of the Manhattan Operation

The Chinatown raid, which witnesses say featured more than 50 federal agents, took place in a famous area of the city where counterfeit purses, items, goods and additional items are commonly traded en masse – often to sightseers.

Videos of the operation show numerous masked and armed officers restraining and arresting a man, and forcing aside bystanders. Crowds of residents followed the agents through the streets. An armored truck was noticed moving along the city streets.

Leadership Statements

At a news conference organized with the New York immigrant rights coalition, the congressman, a Democrat, said that four US citizens were arrested by immigration for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no circumstances where nationals should be taken for no reason." He said the individuals were freed on Wednesday with no charges filed.

"The goal is evident here. It is not to take criminals off the street," the congressman said. "This constitutes a military-style operation to incite tension. It is purely a excuse to provoke conflict for this administration to utilize the military to halt unrest that they have created."

Broad Criticism

Anger over the federal action quickly spread – all three NYC mayor hopefuls denounced the incident, as did NY's governor.

"Yet again, the current administration opts for heavy-handed tactics that instill panic, instead of protection. It must stop," a contender stated.

The city's advocacy organizations spoke out also.

"ICE raided the neighborhood with tactical trucks, masked agents and tactical gear to target street vendors trying to make a living. This action had no relation to citizen protection and everything to do with intimidating residents and communities," said the president of a major immigrant coalition.

ICE Policies

ICE policy prohibits the detention of US citizens and the agency has claimed it refrains from apprehend US citizens. Yet, investigative journalism has found that numerous American nationals have been detained unlawfully by immigration authorities since the start of the current administration.

Current Situation

Enforcement actions have been becoming more common in New York and across the US lately.

An October operation in central NYC was the initial documented operation on an housing center of the present government. Demonstrations targeting ICE are ubiquitous including accusations of violence and inhumane treatment.

Latest, a submission filed by legal entities claimed medical neglect of women with child in detention centers.