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The state AG has introduced a fresh online portal asking locals to share visual evidence of federal immigration enforcement throughout New York. This action follows a shortly after a high-profile ICE raid rattled NYC's Chinatown, prompting large-scale demonstrations.

US Citizens Held In Enforcement Action

A lawmaker revealed during a midweek briefing that four US citizens were arrested and held for "almost a full day" after Tuesday's raid. Protests broke out in NYC on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"Every New Yorker has the right to exist without intimidation," the attorney general stated in a release.

"Anyone who observed and documented ICE activity yesterday, I encourage you to provide that material with the authorities. We are committed to reviewing these accounts and determining any violations of law."

Portal Features

The platform includes options to send visual evidence of the operation, plus a section to indicate where it occurred. When submitting, users must check a checkbox that states that "authorities could utilize any evidence provided in a public document, including in a lawsuit or public report."

Information about the ICE Action

The enforcement action, which witnesses say involved dozens of federal agents, happened in a popular district of Manhattan where imitation products and other goods are sold daily widely – often to sightseers.

Footage of the operation show multiple covered and weaponized personnel zip-tying and detaining a person, and shoving away witnesses. Crowds of residents pursued the agents down the sidewalks. An armored truck was also seen moving along the Manhattan avenues.

Leadership Statements

At a midweek briefing held with the rights organization, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democratic representative, said that four US citizens were detained by ICE for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no situations where nationals should be taken for unjustly." He said the persons were released on the following day with no legal action taken.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," he remarked. "This represents a armed campaign to provoke unrest. It is merely a excuse to incite violence for this administration to bring in the troops to stop violence that they themselves caused."

Broad Criticism

Anger over the ICE raid escalated – each of the NYC mayor hopefuls denounced the raid, along with Governor Kathy Hochul.

"Once again, the Trump administration selects heavy-handed tactics that instill panic, not safety. It needs to cease," one mayoral candidate stated.

NYC immigrant rights groups spoke out also.

"ICE raided the neighborhood with armored transports, masked agents and riot gear to target local sellers working to survive. This raid had no relation to community security and was entirely about terrorizing immigrant families and neighborhoods," said the head of a rights organization.

ICE Policies

ICE policy prohibits the arrest of American nationals and the bureau has said it will not arrest or detain citizens. However, independent reporting has discovered that numerous US citizens have been held against their will by immigration authorities since the start of the present government.

Current Situation

ICE raids have been becoming more common in the state and across the US recently.

A mid-October raid in the city center was the initial documented operation on an refuge facility of the present government. Demonstrations targeting ICE are ubiquitous including claims of aggression and cruel conditions.

Most recently, a submission filed by civil rights groups claimed medical neglect of pregnant women in government custody.