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The state attorney general has introduced a fresh digital platform encouraging citizens to submit photos and videos of ICE operations throughout New York. This action follows a day after a significant ICE raid shook NYC's Chinatown, triggering large-scale demonstrations.

American Citizens Arrested During Raid

A congressional representative revealed during a midweek briefing that four US citizens were taken into custody and held for "about 24 hours" following the previous day's operation. Protests occurred in the city on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"Each citizen deserves to exist without intimidation," state officials declared in a announcement.

"If you witnessed and documented federal operations recently, I encourage you to submit that material with my office. We are committed to assessing these accounts and determining any legal breaches."

Form Details

The platform provides spaces to submit photos and videos of the raid, as well as a area to note location information. When submitting, users must mark a option that confirms that "authorities could utilize any evidence provided in a legal proceeding, such as in a legal proceeding or official statement."

Details of the ICE Action

The Manhattan operation, which onlookers say featured more than 50 ICE personnel, took place in a famous area of Manhattan where fake handbags, accessories, jewelry and other goods are regularly available en masse – frequently to visitors.

Recordings of Tuesday's raid show multiple masked and armed federal agents zip-tying and detaining a person, and shoving away bystanders. Masses of residents followed the agents along the roads. An military-style transport was observed moving along the urban roads.

Leadership Statements

During a Wednesday press conference organized with the immigrant advocacy group, Representative Goldman, a Democratic representative, said that four nationals were taken by federal agents for about 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where US citizens should be detained for no reason." He noted the individuals were released on the following day with no accusations made.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not to take criminals off the street," he remarked. "This constitutes a armed campaign to provoke unrest. It is merely a pretext to incite violence for the government to utilize the troops to halt unrest that they have created."

Widespread Condemnation

Anger over the immigration operation rapidly grew – each of the mayoral candidates denounced the raid, along with Governor Kathy Hochul.

"Repeatedly, the Trump administration chooses oppressive displays that instill panic, not safety. It must stop," a political candidate wrote.

New York City immigrant rights groups expressed outrage also.

"ICE descended on Manhattan's Chinatown with armored transports, masked agents and riot gear to target local sellers trying to make a living. This operation had no connection to citizen protection and everything to do with frightening communities and areas," remarked the head of a rights organization.

ICE Policies

ICE policy forbids the holding of citizens and the bureau has stated it will not take into custody citizens. However, investigative journalism has discovered that more than 170 US citizens have been detained unlawfully by ICE since the beginning of the current administration.

Current Situation

Immigration operations have been cropping up increasingly in New York and across the US recently.

A mid-October raid in midtown Manhattan was the earliest reported action on an refuge facility of the current administration. Protests against federal operations are commonplace as are claims of aggression and cruel conditions.

Recently, a submission filed by legal entities alleged medical neglect of expectant mothers in ICE facilities.