🔗 Share this article

The state AG has rolled out a new online portal urging locals to share images and footage of immigration raids across New York. This action follows a shortly after a significant ICE raid disrupted Manhattan's Chinatown, triggering large-scale protests.

American Citizens Arrested In Enforcement Action

A US congressman disclosed during a midweek briefing that four American citizens were detained and held for "almost a full day" following the enforcement action. Protests erupted in NYC on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

"Every New Yorker has the right to exist without intimidation," the AG wrote in a announcement.

"If you witnessed and captured ICE activity during the raid, I urge you to provide that evidence with my office. We are committed to examining these accounts and evaluating any wrongdoings."

Submission Process

The platform provides fields to submit visual evidence of the operation, along with a field to specify geographic details. Before submitting, submitters must check a checkbox that acknowledges that "the office could utilize any materials, images, or footage in a official report, such as in a legal proceeding or government document."

Details of the Chinatown Raid

The Manhattan operation, which observers say involved over fifty ICE personnel, took place in a popular area of Manhattan where fake purses, items, goods and other goods are regularly available in large quantities – typically to tourists.

Recordings of the incident depict multiple hooded and equipped officers securing and holding a man, and shoving away witnesses. Masses of residents followed the personnel down the sidewalks. An armored military vehicle was observed traveling down the urban roads.

Official Reactions

During a news conference featuring the immigrant advocacy group, the congressman, a Democratic representative, stated that four American citizens were taken by federal agents for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no situations where four American citizens should be arrested for unjustly." He noted the individuals were freed on Wednesday with no legal action taken.

"The intent is obvious here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," he said. "This constitutes a militarized effort to create conflict. It is purely a excuse to provoke conflict for the government to utilize the military to halt violence that they have created."

Broad Criticism

Fury over the federal action escalated – every mayoral candidates condemned the incident, as did the state leader.

"Yet again, the current administration chooses heavy-handed tactics that instill panic, not safety. It must stop," one mayoral candidate declared.

NYC immigrant rights groups expressed outrage as well.

"Immigration agents targeted Manhattan's Chinatown with tactical trucks, hooded officers and tactical gear to focus on local sellers trying to make a living. This action had no relation to public safety and focused completely on terrorizing immigrant families and neighborhoods," said the leader of a rights organization.

Agency Rules

Agency rules prohibits the holding of citizens and the organization has said it does not arrest or detain US citizens. Nevertheless, investigative journalism has revealed that numerous US citizens have been taken illegally by federal agents during the period of the present government.

Current Situation

Enforcement actions have been rising in frequency in NY and nationwide lately.

A mid-October raid in central NYC was the first known raid on an housing center of the existing leadership. Protests opposing federal operations are ubiquitous as are claims of force and inhumane treatment.

Latest, a document filed by civil rights groups claimed inadequate care of expectant mothers in government custody.