🔗 Share this article

New York state AG has introduced a fresh online portal encouraging citizens to provide visual evidence of ICE operations throughout the state. This action follows a shortly after a high-profile enforcement action disrupted Manhattan's Chinatown, prompting mass demonstrations.

American Citizens Held During Enforcement Action

A US congressman announced during a Wednesday press conference that four American citizens were taken into custody and held for "nearly 24 hours" following the enforcement action. Protests erupted in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"Each citizen has the right to exist without intimidation," state officials stated in a release.

"If you witnessed and captured ICE activity yesterday, I ask you to submit that material with us. We are committed to reviewing these accounts and investigating any legal breaches."

Form Details

The portal includes options to send images and video footage of the raid, plus a field to note location information. When submitting, submitters must check a option that states that "authorities might employ any documents, photographs, or videos in a legal proceeding, such as in a court case or official statement."

Information about the Chinatown Raid

The enforcement action, which witnesses say featured dozens of federal agents, occurred in a popular area of the city where imitation handbags, accessories, jewelry and additional items are commonly traded en masse – frequently to visitors.

Footage of the incident reveal several masked and armed officers zip-tying and detaining a individual, and pushing back bystanders. Crowds of residents pursued the personnel along the roads. An armored military vehicle was observed moving along the urban roads.

Political Response

At a Wednesday press conference organized with the immigrant advocacy group, the congressman, a Democrat, stated that four nationals were arrested by immigration for about 24 hours and that there were "no situations where four American citizens should be taken for no reason." He said the individuals were released on Wednesday with no legal action taken.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," Goldman said. "This is a armed campaign to create conflict. It is merely a pretext to provoke conflict for this administration to deploy the troops to stop conflict that they initiated."

Widespread Condemnation

Anger over the ICE raid quickly spread – each of the mayoral candidates criticized the incident, along with NY's governor.

"Yet again, the Trump administration opts for authoritarian theatrics that create fear, instead of protection. It must stop," one mayoral candidate stated.

The city's advocacy organizations spoke out as well.

"Federal officers targeted Manhattan's Chinatown with tactical trucks, covered personnel and tactical gear to focus on small merchants working to survive. This action had no relation to community security and focused completely on intimidating residents and areas," said the president of a major immigrant coalition.

Official Guidelines

Agency rules bans the detention of US citizens and the bureau has stated it will not apprehend US citizens. However, external research has discovered that numerous citizens have been taken illegally by federal agents since the beginning of the existing leadership.

Current Situation

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

A mid-October raid in the city center was the earliest reported action on an refuge facility of the present government. Protests targeting ICE are commonplace along with allegations of force and inhumane treatment.

Most recently, a letter submitted by advocacy organizations claimed inadequate care of women with child in government custody.