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New York state AG has rolled out a fresh online portal urging locals to share images and footage of immigration raids around New York. This step comes just a shortly after a major ICE raid disrupted Manhattan's Chinatown, triggering widespread outcry.

American Citizens Held In ICE Operation

A congressional representative announced during a midweek briefing that four American citizens were taken into custody and held for "about 24 hours" following the previous day's operation. Protests broke out in NYC on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"All New York residents has the right to live without fear," the AG stated in a announcement.

"Anyone who observed and captured federal operations yesterday, I urge you to share that material with us. We are committed to examining these accounts and determining any violations of law."

Portal Features

The platform includes options to submit images and video footage of the operation, along with a area to note where it occurred. Before submitting, individuals must mark a option that confirms that "authorities could utilize any documents, photographs, or videos in a legal proceeding, including in a lawsuit or public report."

Details of the ICE Action

The Chinatown raid, which witnesses say featured over fifty federal agents, occurred in a well-known area of Manhattan where counterfeit handbags, accessories, jewelry and merchandise are sold daily in large quantities – often to sightseers.

Footage of the incident depict several masked and armed personnel restraining and arresting a individual, and shoving away onlookers. Masses of New Yorkers trailed the agents along the roads. An military-style transport was observed traveling down the urban roads.

Official Reactions

During a midweek briefing held with the New York immigrant rights coalition, the congressman, a Democrat, stated that four nationals were arrested by immigration for about 24 hours and that there were "no situations where four American citizens should be taken for without cause." He noted the individuals were let go on Wednesday with no charges filed.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not to take criminals off the street," Goldman remarked. "This is a military-style operation to create conflict. It is simply a justification to incite violence for this administration to bring in the armed forces to halt conflict that they themselves caused."

Broad Criticism

Fury over the immigration operation escalated – all three 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 must stop," one mayoral candidate wrote.

New York City advocacy organizations expressed outrage as well.

"Immigration agents raided Manhattan's Chinatown with tactical trucks, hooded officers and tactical gear to target street vendors attempting to earn income. This raid had no connection to community security and everything to do with intimidating residents and areas," stated the president of a rights organization.

Official Guidelines

Official guidelines forbids the detention of US citizens and the organization has said it will not arrest or detain citizens. However, investigative journalism has found that numerous US citizens have been taken illegally by immigration authorities since the start of the existing leadership.

Current Situation

Immigration operations have been becoming more common in NY and across the US recently.

A mid-October raid in midtown Manhattan was the first known raid on an refuge facility of the current administration. Demonstrations targeting federal operations are ubiquitous along with allegations of force and abusive practices.

Most recently, a submission submitted by advocacy organizations stated healthcare failures of women with child in detention centers.