🔗 Share this article NY Launches Portal for Residents to Share Immigration Footage After Detentions of 4 American Citizens The state AG has introduced a new reporting form encouraging locals to share images and footage of ICE operations throughout New York. This move follows a day after a significant enforcement action disrupted Chinatown in Manhattan, sparking large-scale demonstrations. US Citizens Held During ICE Operation A congressional representative announced during a Wednesday press conference that four American citizens were detained and held for "about 24 hours" following Tuesday's raid. Protests occurred in NYC on both Tuesday and Wednesday. "Each citizen is entitled to live without fear," state officials wrote in a release. "Anyone who observed and documented immigration enforcement yesterday, I ask you to submit that footage with us. We are dedicated to reviewing these reports and investigating any legal breaches." Form Details The form includes spaces to send photos and videos of the operation, as well as a area to note geographic details. When submitting, users must mark a checkbox that states that "the office could utilize any documents, photographs, or videos in a official report, including in a lawsuit or official statement." Details of the Manhattan Operation The enforcement action, which observers say included dozens of federal agents, took place in a popular area of Manhattan where counterfeit handbags, accessories, jewelry and additional items are regularly available en masse – frequently to visitors. Recordings of the incident reveal multiple masked and armed personnel securing and holding a man, and forcing aside onlookers. Crowds of locals pursued the officers through the streets. An military-style transport was also seen rolling through the city streets. Official Reactions At a news conference featuring the immigrant advocacy group, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democratic representative, said that four American citizens were taken by federal agents for about 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where four American citizens should be arrested for unjustly." He clarified the persons were released on Wednesday with no legal action taken. "The intent is obvious here. It is not about removing offenders," he remarked. "This is a militarized effort to create conflict. It is simply a pretext to incite violence for federal officials to deploy the armed forces to halt conflict that they initiated." Broad Criticism Outrage over the immigration operation escalated – every NYC mayor hopefuls condemned the operation, including the state leader. "Yet again, the Trump administration selects oppressive displays that instill panic, rather than security. It must stop," one mayoral candidate stated. The city's immigrant rights groups spoke out also. "Immigration agents targeted Chinatown in NYC with military-style vehicles, masked agents and riot gear to target small merchants working to survive. This raid had nothing to do with citizen protection and was entirely about intimidating residents and communities," remarked the head of a rights organization. ICE Policies ICE policy prohibits the holding of citizens and the agency has claimed it refrains from arrest or detain US citizens. Yet, independent reporting has revealed that more than 170 American nationals have been taken illegally by immigration authorities since the start of the current administration. Ongoing Trend Enforcement actions have been becoming more common in NY and around the country lately. An October operation in midtown Manhattan was the earliest reported action on an immigrant shelter of the existing leadership. Protests opposing ICE are widespread along with claims of force and cruel conditions. Latest, a submission submitted by legal entities alleged medical neglect of pregnant women in government custody.