🔗 Share this article

New York state attorney general has rolled out a new reporting form encouraging residents to submit photos and videos of federal immigration enforcement throughout New York. This action comes just a day after a high-profile enforcement action shook Chinatown in Manhattan, sparking mass outcry.

American Citizens Detained During ICE Operation

A lawmaker announced during a midweek briefing that four American citizens were arrested and kept for "nearly 24 hours" after the enforcement action. Demonstrations occurred in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"Every New Yorker is entitled to live without fear," state officials wrote in a announcement.

"Anyone who observed and captured federal operations yesterday, I encourage you to provide that evidence with my office. We are committed to assessing these accounts and investigating any wrongdoings."

Form Details

The form includes spaces to upload images and video footage of the operation, as well as a section to specify geographic details. Prior to sending, users must mark a option that confirms that "authorities may use any documents, photographs, or videos in a legal proceeding, such as in a court case or government document."

Information about the Manhattan Operation

The Manhattan operation, which witnesses say included over fifty government officers, happened in a well-known neighborhood of NYC where counterfeit purses, items, goods and additional items are regularly available en masse – frequently to tourists.

Videos of the incident reveal numerous masked and armed federal agents securing and holding a man, and pushing back onlookers. Masses of residents trailed the agents along the roads. An armored truck was observed moving along the city streets.

Political Response

During a Wednesday press conference featuring the New York immigrant rights coalition, the congressman, a Democratic representative, said that four American citizens were arrested by immigration for almost a full day and that there were "no situations where US citizens should be detained for unjustly." He clarified the citizens were freed on Wednesday with no charges filed.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not about removing offenders," the congressman remarked. "This is a militarized effort to incite tension. It is simply a excuse to generate turmoil for the government to deploy the troops to halt unrest that they have created."

Broad Criticism

Outrage over the ICE raid rapidly grew – every mayoral candidates denounced the raid, along with Governor Kathy Hochul.

"Repeatedly, the federal government opts for oppressive displays that create fear, rather than security. It must stop," one mayoral candidate stated.

The city's community groups voiced concern as well.

"Federal officers raided Chinatown in NYC with armored transports, hooded officers and tactical gear to focus on small merchants working to survive. This action had no relation to community security and was entirely about intimidating residents and areas," stated the president of a advocacy group.

Agency Rules

ICE policy forbids the holding of citizens and the agency has said it will not take into custody citizens. However, independent reporting has found that over 170 American nationals have been held against their will by ICE since the start of the current administration.

Ongoing Trend

Enforcement actions have been cropping up increasingly in the state and around the country this year.

An October operation in the city center was the first known raid on an housing center of the current administration. Rallies against ICE are ubiquitous including accusations of force and inhumane treatment.

Most recently, a document provided by legal entities alleged healthcare failures of expectant mothers in government custody.