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The state attorney general has launched a recent reporting form asking locals to provide visual evidence of immigration raids throughout the state. This step comes just a shortly after a significant ICE raid disrupted Chinatown in Manhattan, sparking large-scale protests.

American Citizens Detained In Raid

A US congressman disclosed during a Wednesday press conference that four US citizens were taken into custody and held for "nearly 24 hours" after Tuesday's raid. Protests erupted in New York on consecutive evenings.

"Each citizen is entitled to live without fear," state officials stated in a announcement.

"For those who saw and captured federal operations recently, I urge you to provide that evidence with my office. We are pledged to assessing these accounts and investigating any legal breaches."

Form Details

The platform provides fields to send photos and videos of the raid, plus a section to specify geographic details. Before submitting, individuals must mark a checkbox that acknowledges that "authorities could utilize any documents, photographs, or videos in a legal proceeding, including in a lawsuit or government document."

Information about the Manhattan Operation

The Chinatown raid, which onlookers say featured more than 50 ICE personnel, occurred in a popular neighborhood of Manhattan where fake products and additional items are commonly traded en masse – often to visitors.

Videos of the operation show multiple covered and weaponized personnel zip-tying and detaining a individual, and forcing aside onlookers. Crowds of residents followed the agents through the streets. An armored military vehicle was noticed moving along the city streets.

Leadership Statements

During a midweek briefing featuring the New York immigrant rights coalition, the congressman, a lawmaker, said that four US citizens were detained by ICE for almost a full day and that there were "no situations where US citizens should be arrested for without cause." He said the persons were released on the following day with no charges filed.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not about removing offenders," he stated. "This is a militarized effort to provoke unrest. It is simply a excuse to provoke conflict for the government to bring in the armed forces to halt unrest that they initiated."

Broad Criticism

Outrage over the immigration operation quickly spread – all three mayoral candidates criticized the raid, as did Governor Kathy Hochul.

"Once again, the current administration selects oppressive displays that generate terror, rather than security. It must stop," a political candidate declared.

NYC community groups expressed outrage too.

"Immigration agents raided Manhattan's Chinatown with tactical trucks, hooded officers and protective equipment to go after local sellers working to survive. This raid had no connection to citizen protection and was entirely about terrorizing immigrant families and areas," remarked the leader of a major immigrant coalition.

Agency Rules

ICE policy prohibits the holding of citizens and the agency has stated it will not arrest or detain American nationals. Nevertheless, investigative journalism has discovered that numerous US citizens have been taken illegally by federal agents since the beginning of the existing leadership.

Recent Pattern

ICE raids have been rising in frequency in NY and around the country lately.

A recent action in central NYC was the initial documented operation on an immigrant shelter of the existing leadership. Protests opposing federal operations are commonplace as are claims of aggression and inhumane treatment.

Most recently, a letter submitted by legal entities claimed medical neglect of women with child in detention centers.