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New York state AG has rolled out a new online portal encouraging locals to provide visual evidence of immigration raids across New York. This action comes just a day after a major enforcement action shook Manhattan's Chinatown, prompting mass outcry.

American Citizens Arrested In Raid

A lawmaker disclosed during a midweek briefing that four American citizens were detained and held for "about 24 hours" following the previous day's operation. Demonstrations erupted in New York on consecutive evenings.

"All New York residents has the right to live without fear," the attorney general wrote in a statement.

"Anyone who observed and captured ICE activity yesterday, I urge you to submit that material with us. We are pledged to assessing these accounts and evaluating any legal breaches."

Portal Features

The form offers spaces to upload visual evidence of the operation, plus a area to note where it occurred. When submitting, submitters must tick a checkbox that states that "the attorney general could utilize any materials, images, or footage in a official report, such as in a legal proceeding or government document."

Information about the Chinatown Raid

The Manhattan operation, which witnesses say involved more than 50 ICE personnel, took place in a well-known neighborhood of Manhattan where imitation handbags, accessories, jewelry and additional items are sold daily en masse – typically to tourists.

Videos of Tuesday's raid depict several hooded and equipped personnel restraining and arresting a person, and pushing back witnesses. Masses of locals followed the personnel along the roads. An armored truck was also seen traveling down the urban roads.

Leadership Statements

At a news conference held with the rights organization, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democratic representative, said that four nationals were arrested by immigration for about 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where US citizens should be taken for unjustly." He said the individuals were freed on the following day with no legal action taken.

"The intent is obvious here. It is not to take criminals off the street," the congressman stated. "This is a armed campaign to create conflict. It is purely a excuse to provoke conflict for the government to bring in the troops to stop violence that they themselves caused."

Broad Criticism

Outrage over the federal action quickly spread – all three mayoral candidates condemned the operation, along with NY's governor.

"Yet again, the current administration opts for authoritarian theatrics that create fear, instead of protection. It needs to cease," one mayoral candidate declared.

NYC community groups expressed outrage as well.

"Federal officers descended on Chinatown in NYC with tactical trucks, hooded officers and protective equipment to go after small merchants attempting to earn income. This operation had no relation to community security and was entirely about frightening communities and areas," remarked the head of a major immigrant coalition.

Agency Rules

ICE policy forbids the arrest of American nationals and the organization has said it will not take into custody US citizens. Nevertheless, independent reporting has found that more than 170 American nationals have been held against their will by immigration authorities since the beginning of the current administration.

Ongoing Trend

Immigration operations have been rising in frequency in the state and nationwide recently.

A mid-October raid in central NYC was the initial documented operation on an refuge facility of the current administration. Demonstrations opposing ICE are ubiquitous as are allegations of violence and inhumane treatment.

Most recently, a document filed by civil rights groups alleged medical neglect of pregnant women in government custody.