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New York state attorney general has introduced a fresh online portal encouraging citizens to submit visual evidence of immigration raids across the state. This step follows a day after a major ICE raid rattled NYC's Chinatown, triggering widespread demonstrations.

American Citizens Detained In Raid

A lawmaker disclosed during a news conference that four American citizens were detained and detained for "about 24 hours" following the previous day's operation. Rallies erupted in New York on consecutive evenings.

"All New York residents has the right to reside free from terror," state officials wrote in a release.

"Anyone who observed and captured ICE activity during the raid, I urge you to provide that footage with the authorities. We are pledged to reviewing these reports and investigating any violations of law."

Form Details

The form provides fields to submit visual evidence of the operation, as well as a section to specify where it occurred. Before submitting, individuals must tick a option that states that "authorities could utilize any documents, photographs, or videos in a public document, including in a legal proceeding or government document."

Details of the Chinatown Raid

The Chinatown raid, which observers say featured dozens of federal agents, happened in a popular neighborhood of NYC where fake handbags, accessories, jewelry and merchandise are commonly traded in large quantities – often to sightseers.

Recordings of the incident depict numerous hooded and equipped federal agents securing and holding a person, and shoving away witnesses. Masses of New Yorkers followed the personnel along the roads. An armored military vehicle was observed traveling down the Manhattan avenues.

Political Response

At a Wednesday press conference organized with the immigrant advocacy group, Representative Goldman, a Democrat, stated that four US citizens were arrested by immigration for almost a full day and that there were "no conditions where four American citizens should be arrested for no reason." He said the citizens were released on the following day with no accusations made.

"The goal is evident here. It is not about removing offenders," the congressman said. "This is a military-style operation to incite tension. It is purely a justification to generate turmoil for federal officials to deploy the armed forces to stop conflict that they initiated."

Widespread Condemnation

Fury over the immigration operation escalated – each of the NYC mayor hopefuls condemned the incident, as did the state leader.

"Yet again, the current administration opts for heavy-handed tactics that create fear, not safety. It has to end," one mayoral candidate wrote.

NYC community groups spoke out too.

"Immigration agents descended on Manhattan's Chinatown with armored transports, covered personnel and protective equipment to target local sellers trying to make a living. This operation had no relation to public safety and everything to do with frightening communities and communities," said the president of a major immigrant coalition.

ICE Policies

ICE policy forbids the detention of US citizens and the organization has claimed it refrains from take into custody US citizens. However, independent reporting has revealed that numerous American nationals have been detained unlawfully by federal agents since the beginning of the present government.

Current Situation

Immigration operations have been cropping up increasingly in NY and across the US recently.

An October operation in central NYC was the initial documented operation on an immigrant shelter of the present government. Rallies targeting immigration enforcement are commonplace including accusations of force and cruel conditions.

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