🔗 Share this article New York Introduces Reporting Tool for Residents to Report Immigration Footage Following Arrests of 4 American Citizens The state attorney general has launched a recent online portal encouraging locals to share photos and videos of ICE operations around the state. This move comes just a shortly after a significant immigration operation shook Manhattan's Chinatown, sparking mass protests. US Citizens Arrested In ICE Operation A lawmaker disclosed during a Wednesday press conference that four citizens were taken into custody and kept for "nearly 24 hours" after Tuesday's raid. Rallies broke out in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. "All New York residents deserves to reside free from terror," the AG wrote in a statement. "For those who saw and documented ICE activity yesterday, I encourage you to submit that material with my office. We are dedicated to assessing these submissions and evaluating any wrongdoings." Portal Features The portal offers spaces to submit photos and videos of the operation, along with a area to note geographic details. Prior to sending, individuals must check a checkbox that acknowledges that "authorities might employ any materials, images, or footage in a official report, including in a lawsuit or government document." Information about the Chinatown Raid The Manhattan operation, which onlookers say included over fifty government officers, took place in a popular district of the city where imitation purses, items, goods and merchandise are sold daily in large quantities – typically to tourists. Videos of Tuesday's raid show several covered and weaponized federal agents restraining and arresting a person, and shoving away witnesses. Masses of New Yorkers trailed the officers through the streets. An military-style transport was noticed rolling through the city streets. Official Reactions At a midweek briefing organized with the New York immigrant rights coalition, congressman Dan Goldman, a lawmaker, announced that four American citizens were taken by federal agents for almost a full day and that there were "no situations where US citizens should be taken for without cause." He said the individuals were released on the following day with no legal action taken. "The goal is evident here. It is not to take criminals off the street," Goldman said. "This constitutes a militarized effort to provoke unrest. It is purely a pretext to generate turmoil for the government to bring in the troops to halt conflict that they themselves caused." Broad Criticism Outrage over the federal action rapidly grew – every mayoral candidates denounced the raid, along with Governor Kathy Hochul. "Yet again, the current administration opts for oppressive displays that create fear, rather than security. It has to end," one mayoral candidate stated. The city's community groups expressed outrage also. "ICE descended on Chinatown in NYC with military-style vehicles, covered personnel and tactical gear to target street vendors attempting to earn income. This operation had no connection to citizen protection and was entirely about intimidating residents and communities," said the head of a major immigrant coalition. Agency Rules Official guidelines bans the holding of citizens and the bureau has stated it will not apprehend American nationals. Nevertheless, independent reporting has discovered that more than 170 US citizens have been taken illegally by immigration authorities since the beginning of the present government. Recent Pattern Enforcement actions have been becoming more common in NY and around the country recently. A recent action in the city center was the earliest reported action on an housing center of the present government. Protests against immigration enforcement are commonplace along with allegations of force and inhumane treatment. Latest, a submission provided by civil rights groups stated medical neglect of pregnant women in ICE facilities.