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New York state AG has launched a new reporting form asking locals to submit visual evidence of immigration raids throughout New York. This action follows a shortly after a significant immigration operation rattled NYC's Chinatown, prompting widespread demonstrations.

American Citizens Held During ICE Operation

A US congressman announced during a midweek briefing that four American citizens were detained and kept for "almost a full day" following Tuesday's raid. Rallies erupted in NYC on consecutive evenings.

"All New York residents has the right to exist without intimidation," the attorney general stated in a release.

"Anyone who observed and documented immigration enforcement during the raid, I encourage you to provide that material with my office. We are pledged to examining these submissions and investigating any legal breaches."

Form Details

The portal offers options to upload visual evidence of the incident, plus a field to note location information. When submitting, submitters must mark a option that acknowledges that "authorities may use any materials, images, or footage in a legal proceeding, including in a court case or government document."

Information about the Manhattan Operation

The Manhattan operation, which observers say involved over fifty ICE personnel, took place in a well-known area of the city where fake products and merchandise are commonly traded in large quantities – typically to sightseers.

Videos of Tuesday's raid reveal several covered and weaponized officers zip-tying and detaining a person, and shoving away onlookers. Throngs of residents pursued the personnel down the sidewalks. An armored military vehicle was noticed rolling through the Manhattan avenues.

Political Response

During a Wednesday press conference organized with the rights organization, congressman Dan Goldman, a lawmaker, said that four US citizens were arrested by immigration for almost a full day and that there were "no conditions where nationals should be arrested for without cause." He clarified the citizens were let go on the following day with no charges filed.

"The intent is obvious here. It is not about removing offenders," Goldman said. "This is a military-style operation to create conflict. It is merely a justification to provoke conflict for the government to deploy the troops to halt violence that they themselves caused."

Extensive Outcry

Fury over the federal action quickly spread – each of the mayoral candidates denounced the incident, along with the state leader.

"Repeatedly, the Trump administration chooses authoritarian theatrics that create fear, rather than security. It must stop," one mayoral candidate declared.

NYC community groups expressed outrage as well.

"Federal officers targeted the neighborhood with military-style vehicles, covered personnel and riot gear to target local sellers attempting to earn income. This raid had nothing to do with citizen protection and everything to do with intimidating residents and neighborhoods," stated the head of a advocacy group.

ICE Policies

Agency rules forbids the arrest of American nationals and the bureau has claimed it refrains from arrest or detain US citizens. Yet, investigative journalism has found that more than 170 citizens have been detained unlawfully by federal agents since the beginning of the existing leadership.

Ongoing Trend

Enforcement actions have been becoming more common in NY and across the US recently.

A mid-October raid in the city center was the initial documented operation on an refuge facility of the existing leadership. Rallies against federal operations are widespread along with accusations of violence and abusive practices.

Latest, a document filed by civil rights groups claimed inadequate care of women with child in detention centers.