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New York state attorney general has rolled out a recent reporting form asking residents to share visual evidence of ICE operations throughout the state. This step follows a shortly after a high-profile enforcement action rattled Chinatown in Manhattan, sparking large-scale protests.

US Citizens Arrested During ICE Operation

A congressional representative revealed during a news conference that four American citizens were arrested and kept for "about 24 hours" after the enforcement action. Protests occurred in New York on consecutive evenings.

"Each citizen deserves to live without fear," the AG wrote in a statement.

"Anyone who observed and captured ICE activity recently, I urge you to share that evidence with the authorities. We are dedicated to assessing these reports and investigating any wrongdoings."

Form Details

The platform provides spaces to submit photos and videos of the incident, along with a section to specify geographic details. Before submitting, individuals must check a checkbox that states that "the attorney general might employ any documents, photographs, or videos in a legal proceeding, such as in a lawsuit or public report."

Information about the ICE Action

The Manhattan operation, which onlookers say included over fifty government officers, took place in a famous area of NYC where counterfeit products and merchandise are sold daily en masse – typically to sightseers.

Footage of the operation reveal multiple hooded and equipped personnel securing and holding a man, and forcing aside bystanders. Crowds of New Yorkers followed the agents down the sidewalks. An armored military vehicle was observed moving along the Manhattan avenues.

Political Response

In a midweek briefing held with the New York immigrant rights coalition, Representative Goldman, a lawmaker, announced that four American citizens were taken by federal agents for about 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where four American citizens should be detained for no reason." He noted the persons were let go on Wednesday with no accusations made.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not to take criminals off the street," the congressman remarked. "This is a armed campaign to incite tension. It is purely a excuse to incite violence for the government to bring in the armed forces to halt violence that they themselves caused."

Broad Criticism

Anger over the ICE raid rapidly grew – each of the NYC mayor hopefuls denounced the operation, along with Governor Kathy Hochul.

"Repeatedly, the current administration selects heavy-handed tactics that generate terror, not safety. It needs to cease," a political candidate wrote.

NYC immigrant rights groups spoke out also.

"Federal officers raided Chinatown in NYC with armored transports, covered personnel and protective equipment to target small merchants attempting to earn income. This action had no connection to community security and was entirely about terrorizing immigrant families and areas," remarked the head of a major immigrant coalition.

ICE Policies

ICE policy bans the detention of US citizens and the organization has said it will not take into custody American nationals. However, investigative journalism has revealed that numerous American nationals have been detained unlawfully by immigration authorities since the start of the current administration.

Current Situation

Enforcement actions have been becoming more common in NY and across the US lately.

A mid-October raid in central NYC was the initial documented operation on an housing center of the existing leadership. Demonstrations opposing federal operations are widespread along with allegations of force and inhumane treatment.

Latest, a document filed by civil rights groups stated inadequate care of women with child in ICE facilities.