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New York state AG has launched a fresh reporting form encouraging citizens to share photos and videos of immigration raids throughout the state. This move comes just a day after a significant ICE raid disrupted NYC's Chinatown, sparking widespread protests.

American Citizens Arrested In Enforcement Action

A lawmaker announced during a Wednesday press conference that four US citizens were arrested and kept for "nearly 24 hours" following Tuesday's raid. Protests erupted in New York on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

"All New York residents deserves to live without fear," the AG wrote in a release.

"For those who saw and documented ICE activity recently, I ask you to submit that footage with the authorities. We are committed to assessing these reports and evaluating any violations of law."

Form Details

The portal provides options to send photos and videos of the operation, along with a section to specify where it occurred. When submitting, submitters must check a box that confirms that "authorities might employ any documents, photographs, or videos in a legal proceeding, including in a legal proceeding or official statement."

Details of the ICE Action

The enforcement action, which observers say involved more than 50 government officers, happened in a famous district of the city where fake purses, items, goods and merchandise are regularly available in large quantities – often to sightseers.

Footage of the incident reveal numerous covered and weaponized personnel restraining and arresting a individual, and forcing aside bystanders. Crowds of New Yorkers followed the personnel down the sidewalks. An military-style transport was noticed moving along the Manhattan avenues.

Official Reactions

In a midweek briefing held with the rights organization, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democrat, announced that four American citizens were arrested by immigration for almost a full day and that there were "no conditions where nationals should be taken for unjustly." He said the citizens were let go on Wednesday with no accusations made.

"The intent is obvious here. It is not about removing offenders," Goldman remarked. "This represents a military-style operation to provoke unrest. It is purely a justification to provoke conflict for the government to bring in the military to halt violence that they have created."

Extensive Outcry

Fury over the immigration operation escalated – all three political contenders condemned the raid, including Governor Kathy Hochul.

"Yet again, the Trump administration chooses heavy-handed tactics that create fear, not safety. It needs to cease," a contender wrote.

The city's immigrant rights groups spoke out also.

"Immigration agents descended on Chinatown in NYC with military-style vehicles, hooded officers and protective equipment to target local sellers working to survive. This action had nothing to do with public safety and focused completely on terrorizing immigrant families and areas," stated the head of a rights organization.

ICE Policies

ICE policy bans the holding of citizens and the bureau has claimed it refrains from arrest or detain citizens. Nevertheless, external research has found that more than 170 US citizens have been held against their will by ICE since the start of the existing leadership.

Recent Pattern

Immigration operations have been cropping up increasingly in New York and across the US this year.

A mid-October raid in midtown Manhattan was the initial documented operation on an immigrant shelter of the existing leadership. Protests against federal operations are widespread as are allegations of aggression and abusive practices.

Latest, a submission filed by civil rights groups stated healthcare failures of expectant mothers in ICE facilities.