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New York state attorney general has introduced a fresh reporting form asking locals to share visual evidence of federal immigration enforcement throughout the state. This action comes just a shortly after a significant enforcement action shook NYC's Chinatown, prompting mass protests.

American Citizens Arrested During Raid

A lawmaker announced during a Wednesday press conference that four US citizens were taken into custody and detained for "about 24 hours" after the previous day's operation. Protests broke out in New York on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

"Each citizen has the right to live without fear," the AG wrote in a statement.

"For those who saw and captured federal operations during the raid, I encourage you to provide that evidence with the authorities. We are dedicated to assessing these accounts and determining any violations of law."

Submission Process

The portal includes options to submit visual evidence of the raid, as well as a field to specify location information. Prior to sending, users must mark a option that states that "authorities may use any documents, photographs, or videos in a official report, including in a lawsuit or government document."

Information about the Manhattan Operation

The Chinatown raid, which onlookers say included dozens of federal agents, happened in a popular area of NYC where counterfeit handbags, accessories, jewelry and other goods are sold daily in large quantities – often to sightseers.

Videos of Tuesday's raid show multiple hooded and equipped officers restraining and arresting a man, and pushing back onlookers. Crowds of New Yorkers followed the personnel down the sidewalks. An military-style transport was noticed rolling through the Manhattan avenues.

Official Reactions

During a news conference featuring the New York immigrant rights coalition, Representative Goldman, a Democrat, stated that four nationals were arrested by immigration for almost a full day and that there were "no situations where nationals should be arrested for unjustly." He noted the citizens were released on the following day with no charges filed.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," Goldman said. "This is a military-style operation to provoke unrest. It is purely a excuse to incite violence for the government to utilize the military to halt unrest that they initiated."

Widespread Condemnation

Fury over the ICE raid quickly spread – each of the NYC mayor hopefuls denounced the incident, including the state leader.

"Yet again, the federal government selects heavy-handed tactics that instill panic, not safety. It needs to cease," a contender declared.

NYC immigrant rights groups spoke out too.

"Federal officers descended on the neighborhood with military-style vehicles, covered personnel and protective equipment to go after local sellers trying to make a living. This action had no relation to citizen protection and focused completely on frightening communities and areas," said the leader of a advocacy group.

Agency Rules

Official guidelines forbids the arrest of American nationals and the agency has stated it will not arrest or detain US citizens. Yet, external research has revealed that numerous US citizens have been held against their will by federal agents since the start of the existing leadership.

Ongoing Trend

Enforcement actions have been rising in frequency in New York and nationwide recently.

A mid-October raid in midtown Manhattan was the first known raid on an housing center of the current administration. Demonstrations targeting ICE are widespread along with allegations of force and cruel conditions.

Latest, a submission filed by civil rights groups claimed medical neglect of expectant mothers in government custody.