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New York state AG has rolled out a recent reporting form encouraging locals to share visual evidence of federal immigration enforcement around New York. This step follows a day after a major enforcement action disrupted NYC's Chinatown, prompting large-scale outcry.

US Citizens Detained In Enforcement Action

A lawmaker disclosed during a Wednesday press conference that four citizens were detained and held for "almost a full day" after Tuesday's raid. Protests erupted in New York on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

"All New York residents is entitled to live without fear," state officials wrote in a announcement.

"If you witnessed and documented ICE activity yesterday, I encourage you to submit that material with the authorities. We are committed to assessing these accounts and investigating any violations of law."

Submission Process

The platform includes fields to submit visual evidence of the incident, as well as a field to note geographic details. When submitting, individuals must check a box that confirms that "the attorney general might employ any materials, images, or footage in a official report, such as in a legal proceeding or official statement."

Information about the Manhattan Operation

The Chinatown raid, which observers say included over fifty government officers, occurred in a popular area of the city where fake products and merchandise are commonly traded widely – often to visitors.

Recordings of Tuesday's raid show numerous masked and armed officers securing and holding a individual, and shoving away witnesses. Masses of New Yorkers trailed the agents down the sidewalks. An armored military vehicle was also seen moving along the urban roads.

Political Response

In a Wednesday press conference held with the New York immigrant rights coalition, Representative Goldman, a Democratic representative, said that four American citizens were detained by ICE for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no situations where US citizens should be detained for without cause." He clarified the individuals were freed on Wednesday with no legal action taken.

"The intent is obvious here. It is not to take criminals off the street," the congressman stated. "This constitutes a military-style operation to incite tension. It is purely a pretext to generate turmoil for this administration to bring in the troops to halt violence that they themselves caused."

Broad Criticism

Outrage over the ICE raid quickly spread – all three mayoral candidates criticized the operation, as did NY's governor.

"Once again, the Trump administration opts for heavy-handed tactics that instill panic, rather than security. It needs to cease," a political candidate wrote.

The city's community groups expressed outrage as well.

"Federal officers raided the neighborhood with tactical trucks, hooded officers and riot gear to focus on street vendors working to survive. This action had no connection to public safety and was entirely about frightening communities and communities," said the leader of a advocacy group.

ICE Policies

Official guidelines prohibits the holding of citizens and the agency has said it refrains from arrest or detain US citizens. Yet, independent reporting has found that numerous American nationals have been held against their will by immigration authorities during the period of the present government.

Current Situation

Enforcement actions have been cropping up increasingly in NY and nationwide recently.

An October operation in the city center was the initial documented operation on an housing center of the current administration. Demonstrations targeting ICE are ubiquitous including accusations of force and cruel conditions.

Most recently, a submission submitted by legal entities alleged healthcare failures of women with child in government custody.