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The state attorney general has rolled out a new reporting form asking residents to submit images and footage of federal immigration enforcement across the state. This step comes just a shortly after a high-profile ICE raid disrupted NYC's Chinatown, prompting widespread protests.

US Citizens Arrested In ICE Operation

A US congressman announced during a midweek briefing that four citizens were arrested and detained for "about 24 hours" following the enforcement action. Protests occurred in the city on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

"All New York residents deserves to exist without intimidation," the AG wrote in a announcement.

"If you witnessed and captured immigration enforcement recently, I ask you to provide that footage with the authorities. We are pledged to examining these submissions and evaluating any legal breaches."

Portal Features

The form offers fields to upload images and video footage of the operation, along with a area to indicate location information. Prior to sending, individuals must check a checkbox that states that "authorities might employ any documents, photographs, or videos in a official report, such as in a court case or government document."

Information about the Chinatown Raid

The Chinatown raid, which witnesses say involved more than 50 federal agents, took place in a famous neighborhood of the city where imitation products and additional items are sold daily widely – often to tourists.

Recordings of the operation show multiple covered and weaponized personnel securing and holding a person, and pushing back bystanders. Crowds of residents trailed the personnel along the roads. An armored military vehicle was noticed traveling down the urban roads.

Leadership Statements

In a news conference organized with the rights organization, congressman Dan Goldman, a lawmaker, said that four nationals were detained by ICE for about 24 hours and that there were "no circumstances where US citizens should be taken for without cause." He noted the citizens were released on the following day with no legal action taken.

"The goal is evident here. It is not to take criminals off the street," he said. "This is a military-style operation to provoke unrest. It is purely a justification to provoke conflict for federal officials to deploy the armed forces to prevent conflict that they have created."

Widespread Condemnation

Outrage over the immigration operation quickly spread – all three political contenders criticized the operation, as did Governor Kathy Hochul.

"Repeatedly, the federal government chooses heavy-handed tactics that instill panic, not safety. It has to end," a contender declared.

The city's advocacy organizations voiced concern also.

"Federal officers descended on Manhattan's Chinatown with tactical trucks, hooded officers and protective equipment to go after small merchants trying to make a living. This operation had no relation to community security and was entirely about frightening communities and neighborhoods," remarked the president of a rights organization.

Agency Rules

Agency rules prohibits the arrest of American nationals and the bureau has stated it does not arrest or detain US citizens. However, independent reporting has revealed that more than 170 US citizens have been detained unlawfully by immigration authorities since the start of the present government.

Current Situation

Immigration operations have been rising in frequency in NY and around the country lately.

A mid-October raid in midtown Manhattan was the initial documented operation on an immigrant shelter of the existing leadership. Demonstrations targeting ICE are ubiquitous as are allegations of force and cruel conditions.

Recently, a letter filed by legal entities stated medical neglect of women with child in detention centers.