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New York state attorney general has introduced a fresh online portal encouraging locals to share photos and videos of immigration raids around New York. This action comes just a day after a major ICE raid shook NYC's Chinatown, sparking widespread outcry.

American Citizens Detained During Enforcement Action

A congressional representative disclosed during a news conference that four US citizens were arrested and kept for "almost a full day" following the enforcement action. Demonstrations erupted in NYC on consecutive evenings.

"All New York residents is entitled to exist without intimidation," state officials stated in a release.

"If you witnessed and documented ICE activity during the raid, I encourage you to provide that evidence with my office. We are pledged to reviewing these accounts and determining any wrongdoings."

Portal Features

The form provides spaces to upload images and video footage of the incident, as well as a field to specify geographic details. When submitting, individuals must check a option that states that "authorities could utilize any documents, photographs, or videos in a public document, including in a lawsuit or official statement."

Information about the ICE Action

The Chinatown raid, which onlookers say involved dozens of government officers, happened in a well-known district of the city where counterfeit products and other goods are commonly traded in large quantities – often to visitors.

Recordings of the incident depict numerous masked and armed personnel restraining and arresting a man, and pushing back bystanders. Throngs of residents trailed the officers along the roads. An armored military vehicle was observed traveling down the urban roads.

Political Response

At a midweek briefing featuring the rights organization, Representative Goldman, a Democrat, stated that four US citizens were arrested by immigration for about 24 hours and that there were "no circumstances where US citizens should be taken for without cause." He noted the persons were freed on Wednesday with no legal action taken.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not to take criminals off the street," Goldman remarked. "This constitutes a military-style operation to incite tension. It is merely a excuse to provoke conflict for federal officials to deploy the armed forces to prevent violence that they have created."

Widespread Condemnation

Outrage over the immigration operation escalated – all three NYC mayor hopefuls denounced the operation, including the state leader.

"Repeatedly, the Trump administration selects heavy-handed tactics that generate terror, instead of protection. It must stop," one mayoral candidate wrote.

NYC immigrant rights groups expressed outrage too.

"Federal officers targeted Chinatown in NYC with armored transports, masked agents and tactical gear to target street vendors working to survive. This operation had no relation to public safety and everything to do with intimidating residents and communities," stated the head of a rights organization.

ICE Policies

Official guidelines bans the arrest of American nationals and the bureau has stated it does not apprehend citizens. Nevertheless, independent reporting has revealed that numerous American nationals have been held against their will by ICE since the beginning of the current administration.

Recent Pattern

Immigration operations have been rising in frequency in New York and nationwide lately.

A mid-October raid in the city center was the first known raid on an refuge facility of the existing leadership. Protests against immigration enforcement are widespread as are allegations of violence and inhumane treatment.

Latest, a submission filed by legal entities claimed healthcare failures of pregnant women in government custody.