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New York state attorney general has launched a recent digital platform encouraging residents to share images and footage of immigration raids around the state. This action follows a shortly after a major immigration operation rattled NYC's Chinatown, prompting large-scale protests.

US Citizens Held In Enforcement Action

A US congressman revealed during a midweek briefing that four American citizens were taken into custody and kept for "nearly 24 hours" after the previous day's operation. Demonstrations erupted in New York on consecutive evenings.

"Every New Yorker has the right to exist without intimidation," the attorney general wrote in a announcement.

"For those who saw and recorded ICE activity during the raid, I encourage you to share that footage with my office. We are committed to reviewing these reports and investigating any violations of law."

Form Details

The platform provides spaces to send visual evidence of the incident, along with a field to specify where it occurred. Before submitting, individuals must tick a option that states that "authorities could utilize any documents, photographs, or videos in a legal proceeding, including in a lawsuit or public report."

Details of the ICE Action

The enforcement action, which observers say included dozens of ICE personnel, took place in a well-known area of NYC where fake purses, items, goods and other goods are commonly traded widely – often to visitors.

Videos of Tuesday's raid reveal several hooded and equipped personnel securing and holding a person, and pushing back witnesses. Crowds of New Yorkers trailed the personnel along the roads. An armored truck was also seen rolling through the urban roads.

Leadership Statements

At a midweek briefing featuring the rights organization, the congressman, a lawmaker, stated that four US citizens were taken by federal agents for about 24 hours and that there were "no circumstances where nationals should be arrested for without cause." He noted the individuals were released on the following day with no legal action taken.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not about removing offenders," Goldman said. "This is a militarized effort to create conflict. It is merely a justification to incite violence for federal officials to utilize the military to prevent conflict that they initiated."

Broad Criticism

Anger over the immigration operation quickly spread – all three mayoral candidates condemned the raid, including NY's governor.

"Yet again, the current administration chooses heavy-handed tactics that generate terror, rather than security. It has to end," a contender declared.

New York City community groups voiced concern too.

"ICE raided Manhattan's Chinatown with armored transports, masked agents and riot gear to focus on local sellers attempting to earn income. This action had nothing to do with community security and was entirely about frightening communities and neighborhoods," remarked the president of a major immigrant coalition.

Agency Rules

Official guidelines bans the holding of citizens and the bureau has claimed it does not arrest or detain American nationals. However, investigative journalism has revealed that over 170 US citizens have been taken illegally by ICE during the period of the existing leadership.

Recent Pattern

Enforcement actions have been becoming more common in the state and nationwide lately.

An October operation in central NYC was the initial documented operation on an housing center of the existing leadership. Protests targeting federal operations are ubiquitous along with allegations of aggression and abusive practices.

Most recently, a submission submitted by advocacy organizations alleged healthcare failures of pregnant women in detention centers.