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New York state attorney general has rolled out a fresh reporting form encouraging locals to provide photos and videos of immigration raids throughout the state. This step follows a day after a major immigration operation disrupted NYC's Chinatown, prompting mass protests.

American Citizens Arrested In ICE Operation

A lawmaker disclosed during a news conference that four citizens were arrested and held for "about 24 hours" following the enforcement action. Protests occurred in NYC on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

"All New York residents deserves to exist without intimidation," the attorney general declared in a statement.

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

Form Details

The form offers options to upload photos and videos of the operation, as well as a section to specify where it occurred. When submitting, users must check a box that acknowledges that "authorities may use any documents, photographs, or videos in a official report, such as in a court case or public report."

Details of the Manhattan Operation

The Chinatown raid, which witnesses say included over fifty ICE personnel, happened in a well-known district of the city where fake handbags, accessories, jewelry and merchandise are regularly available in large quantities – frequently to tourists.

Footage of the incident reveal numerous covered and weaponized personnel restraining and arresting a person, and pushing back onlookers. Throngs of locals pursued the officers down the sidewalks. An armored truck was noticed moving along the urban roads.

Official Reactions

During a news conference held with the immigrant advocacy group, the congressman, a lawmaker, stated that four nationals were detained by ICE for about 24 hours and that there were "no circumstances where nationals should be taken for no reason." He noted the citizens were released on the following day with no charges filed.

"The goal is evident here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," Goldman remarked. "This constitutes a armed campaign to create conflict. It is simply a justification to generate turmoil for the government to deploy the military to prevent violence that they themselves caused."

Widespread Condemnation

Fury over the federal action escalated – each of the political contenders criticized the raid, along with NY's governor.

"Repeatedly, the current administration chooses heavy-handed tactics that generate terror, rather than security. It has to end," a contender stated.

The city's community groups spoke out as well.

"Immigration agents descended on Manhattan's Chinatown with armored transports, hooded officers and protective equipment to target local sellers working to survive. This action had nothing to do with citizen protection and was entirely about terrorizing immigrant families and neighborhoods," stated the leader of a advocacy group.

Agency Rules

Agency rules bans the holding of citizens and the bureau has claimed it refrains from arrest or detain US citizens. Nevertheless, independent reporting has discovered that more than 170 US citizens have been taken illegally by ICE during the period of the existing leadership.

Current Situation

Immigration operations have been cropping up increasingly in New York and nationwide recently.

A recent action in the city center was the earliest reported action on an immigrant shelter of the existing leadership. Protests opposing federal operations are commonplace along with allegations of force and inhumane treatment.

Latest, a document filed by advocacy organizations stated medical neglect of women with child in detention centers.