🔗 Share this article

New York state attorney general has introduced a recent digital platform urging citizens to submit images and footage of federal immigration enforcement around New York. This move comes just a day after a high-profile ICE raid rattled Chinatown in Manhattan, prompting large-scale outcry.

US Citizens Detained During Raid

A congressional representative disclosed during a news conference that four citizens were taken into custody and held for "nearly 24 hours" after the enforcement action. Rallies broke out in New York on consecutive evenings.

"All New York residents has the right to exist without intimidation," the AG wrote in a statement.

"For those who saw and documented immigration enforcement yesterday, I encourage you to provide that evidence with us. We are pledged to examining these accounts and evaluating any wrongdoings."

Form Details

The portal provides options to send photos and videos of the raid, as well as a field to specify location information. When submitting, individuals must mark a box that acknowledges that "the attorney general could utilize any materials, images, or footage in a legal proceeding, including in a lawsuit or official statement."

Information about the ICE Action

The enforcement action, which witnesses say included more than 50 government officers, happened in a well-known neighborhood of NYC where counterfeit products and additional items are commonly traded in large quantities – typically to sightseers.

Recordings of the incident show multiple covered and weaponized personnel zip-tying and detaining a person, and shoving away onlookers. Throngs of residents pursued the officers through the streets. An armored truck was also seen traveling down the Manhattan avenues.

Official Reactions

During a midweek briefing organized with the New York immigrant rights coalition, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democrat, announced that four US citizens were taken by federal agents for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where US citizens should be detained for unjustly." He clarified the individuals were released on Wednesday with no charges filed.

"The goal is evident here. It is not to take criminals off the street," he said. "This constitutes a militarized effort to incite tension. It is simply a justification to generate turmoil for this administration to deploy the armed forces to halt conflict that they initiated."

Widespread Condemnation

Fury over the federal action escalated – every political contenders criticized the incident, including the state leader.

"Yet again, the Trump administration opts for heavy-handed tactics that create fear, instead of protection. It must stop," a contender wrote.

New York City community groups expressed outrage too.

"Federal officers targeted Chinatown in NYC with military-style vehicles, covered personnel and protective equipment to go after street vendors attempting to earn income. This action had nothing to do with citizen protection and focused completely on intimidating residents and communities," said the president of a advocacy group.

ICE Policies

Agency rules bans the detention of US citizens and the organization has stated it refrains from arrest or detain US citizens. However, investigative journalism has discovered that more than 170 US citizens have been held against their will by immigration authorities since the start of the present government.

Ongoing Trend

ICE raids have been rising in frequency in the state and across the US lately.

A recent action in the city center was the earliest reported action on an housing center of the present government. Protests targeting ICE are ubiquitous along with accusations of violence and inhumane treatment.

Recently, a submission filed by civil rights groups claimed medical neglect of expectant mothers in ICE facilities.