🔗 Share this article

New York state AG has rolled out a fresh reporting form urging locals to submit images and footage of ICE operations across the state. This move comes just a day after a major immigration operation shook Manhattan's Chinatown, prompting widespread protests.

American Citizens Arrested During Raid

A lawmaker revealed during a Wednesday press conference that four American citizens were arrested and detained for "about 24 hours" after the previous day's operation. Demonstrations occurred in New York on consecutive evenings.

"Each citizen is entitled to reside free from terror," the AG wrote in a announcement.

"If you witnessed and captured immigration enforcement during the raid, I ask you to share that footage with us. We are committed to examining these submissions and evaluating any legal breaches."

Submission Process

The platform provides spaces to submit visual evidence of the raid, plus a field to specify location information. Prior to sending, submitters must tick a option that confirms that "authorities may use any evidence provided in a legal proceeding, including in a court case or government document."

Details of the Chinatown Raid

The enforcement action, which observers say included more than 50 government officers, took place in a well-known neighborhood of the city where counterfeit purses, items, goods and additional items are sold daily in large quantities – often to sightseers.

Videos of the operation depict numerous covered and weaponized personnel restraining and arresting a person, and pushing back onlookers. Masses of New Yorkers pursued the personnel along the roads. An armored truck was observed moving along the urban roads.

Leadership Statements

At a Wednesday press conference organized with the rights organization, Representative Goldman, a lawmaker, stated that four nationals were detained by ICE for almost a full day and that there were "no circumstances where nationals should be arrested for without cause." He noted the citizens were let go on the following day with no accusations made.

"The intent is obvious here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," Goldman said. "This is a armed campaign to create conflict. It is merely a pretext to generate turmoil for the government to utilize the military to halt violence that they initiated."

Extensive Outcry

Anger over the federal action escalated – all three NYC mayor hopefuls denounced the incident, including the state leader.

"Yet again, the federal government selects heavy-handed tactics that instill panic, rather than security. It must stop," one mayoral candidate wrote.

NYC community groups expressed outrage also.

"Federal officers targeted Chinatown in NYC with tactical trucks, hooded officers and tactical gear to focus on street vendors working to survive. This operation had no connection to community security and was entirely about intimidating residents and neighborhoods," said the head of a major immigrant coalition.

Agency Rules

Official guidelines forbids the arrest of American nationals and the organization has said it does not apprehend US citizens. Yet, investigative journalism has discovered that more than 170 American nationals have been taken illegally by ICE since the beginning of the present government.

Recent Pattern

Immigration operations have been cropping up increasingly in NY and nationwide lately.

An October operation in central NYC was the first known raid on an housing center of the present government. Rallies targeting ICE are ubiquitous including claims of violence and cruel conditions.

Recently, a submission submitted by advocacy organizations claimed healthcare failures of expectant mothers in government custody.