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New York state AG has launched a new reporting form encouraging citizens to share visual evidence of immigration raids around the state. This step follows a shortly after a significant ICE raid disrupted Chinatown in Manhattan, triggering mass outcry.

American Citizens Held During ICE Operation

A lawmaker disclosed during a midweek briefing that four American citizens were detained and held for "almost a full day" following the previous day's operation. Rallies occurred in NYC on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"All New York residents is entitled to live without fear," the attorney general declared in a statement.

"If you witnessed and captured ICE activity recently, I ask you to provide that evidence with the authorities. We are committed to examining these submissions and investigating any violations of law."

Form Details

The platform provides spaces to send photos and videos of the raid, along with a field to indicate geographic details. Before submitting, users must mark a option that states that "the office might employ any evidence provided in a public document, such as in a legal proceeding or government document."

Details of the ICE Action

The enforcement action, which onlookers say involved over fifty ICE personnel, occurred in a famous district of NYC where counterfeit products and additional items are commonly traded in large quantities – typically to visitors.

Footage of the incident show several covered and weaponized federal agents securing and holding a man, and pushing back onlookers. Crowds of locals pursued the personnel down the sidewalks. An armored military vehicle was also seen traveling down the city streets.

Political Response

During a midweek briefing featuring the immigrant advocacy group, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democrat, said that four US 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 clarified the citizens were let go on Wednesday with no charges filed.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not to take criminals off the street," he said. "This represents a armed campaign to incite tension. It is merely a excuse to generate turmoil for the government to bring in the troops to halt violence that they themselves caused."

Extensive Outcry

Anger over the federal action escalated – every NYC mayor hopefuls denounced the raid, along with the state leader.

"Repeatedly, the Trump administration opts for heavy-handed tactics that instill panic, not safety. It needs to cease," one mayoral candidate declared.

NYC community groups voiced concern as well.

"Federal officers raided Manhattan's Chinatown with armored transports, covered personnel and riot gear to focus on street vendors working to survive. This action had no connection to public safety and was entirely about frightening communities and neighborhoods," remarked the president of a advocacy group.

ICE Policies

Official guidelines prohibits the detention of US citizens and the agency has stated it will not apprehend American nationals. Nevertheless, external research has discovered that numerous American nationals have been taken illegally by ICE since the start of the existing leadership.

Recent Pattern

ICE raids have been cropping up increasingly in the state and around the country this year.

An October operation in central NYC was the initial documented operation on an immigrant shelter of the current administration. Rallies against ICE are widespread along with allegations of violence and cruel conditions.

Most recently, a letter provided by civil rights groups alleged medical neglect of pregnant women in detention centers.