🔗 Share this article

New York state attorney general has introduced a new digital platform encouraging citizens to share visual evidence of federal immigration enforcement across the state. This action comes just a day after a significant ICE raid disrupted NYC's Chinatown, sparking large-scale outcry.

US Citizens Held During Raid

A US congressman revealed during a news conference that four US citizens were taken into custody and detained for "about 24 hours" after Tuesday's raid. Rallies broke out in the city on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

"Each citizen has the right to live without fear," state officials wrote in a release.

"If you witnessed and captured ICE activity recently, I encourage you to share that footage with my office. We are dedicated to reviewing these reports and investigating any violations of law."

Form Details

The form provides options to upload images and video footage of the incident, plus a field to indicate geographic details. Before submitting, individuals must mark a option that confirms that "the attorney general may use any materials, images, or footage in a public document, including in a lawsuit or official statement."

Details of the ICE Action

The Chinatown raid, which onlookers say included more than 50 federal agents, happened in a well-known district of NYC where counterfeit handbags, accessories, jewelry and merchandise are commonly traded in large quantities – often to visitors.

Footage of the incident depict several hooded and equipped officers zip-tying and detaining a individual, and pushing back onlookers. Throngs of locals pursued the agents down the sidewalks. An military-style transport was noticed rolling through the city streets.

Leadership Statements

In a news conference featuring the rights organization, the congressman, a lawmaker, announced that four nationals were detained by ICE for about 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where four American citizens should be arrested for without cause." He noted the citizens were let go on Wednesday with no legal action taken.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not to take criminals off the street," the congressman remarked. "This constitutes a military-style operation to create conflict. It is purely a justification to incite violence for this administration to utilize the armed forces to stop conflict that they themselves caused."

Widespread Condemnation

Anger over the immigration operation rapidly grew – all three NYC mayor hopefuls denounced the incident, including NY's governor.

"Once again, the current administration opts for heavy-handed tactics that instill panic, not safety. It must stop," one mayoral candidate wrote.

The city's immigrant rights groups spoke out too.

"ICE targeted Manhattan's Chinatown with military-style vehicles, hooded officers and tactical gear to target small merchants attempting to earn income. This action had no connection to community security and focused completely on frightening communities and areas," remarked the president of a major immigrant coalition.

ICE Policies

Official guidelines forbids the arrest of American nationals and the organization has stated it does not take into custody US citizens. Nevertheless, external research has revealed that more than 170 American nationals have been held against their will by immigration authorities during the period of the present government.

Current Situation

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

A mid-October raid in the city center was the first known raid on an refuge facility of the present government. Rallies targeting federal operations are commonplace including allegations of aggression and inhumane treatment.

Recently, a letter provided by civil rights groups claimed inadequate care of pregnant women in detention centers.