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New York state AG has launched a recent digital platform urging residents to submit photos and videos of immigration raids throughout the state. This move comes just a day after a major enforcement action shook Chinatown in Manhattan, prompting large-scale outcry.

US Citizens Detained During Enforcement Action

A lawmaker announced during a midweek briefing that four citizens were detained and detained for "about 24 hours" after the previous day's operation. Demonstrations erupted in NYC on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

"Each citizen deserves to live without fear," the AG declared in a release.

"Anyone who observed and documented federal operations recently, I urge you to share that evidence with the authorities. We are committed to assessing these submissions and evaluating any legal breaches."

Portal Features

The platform includes fields to send visual evidence of the incident, plus a field to indicate where it occurred. When submitting, submitters must mark a option that confirms that "the office could utilize any evidence provided in a legal proceeding, such as in a court case or official statement."

Details of the ICE Action

The Manhattan operation, which witnesses say involved over fifty federal agents, took place in a popular district of the city where counterfeit products and additional items are regularly available widely – typically to sightseers.

Recordings of Tuesday's raid reveal several covered and weaponized personnel securing and holding a man, and forcing aside onlookers. Crowds of locals pursued the personnel along the roads. An military-style transport was also seen rolling through the Manhattan avenues.

Political Response

At a Wednesday press conference featuring the immigrant advocacy group, the congressman, a Democrat, stated that four US citizens were arrested by immigration for almost a full day and that there were "no conditions where four American citizens should be arrested for no reason." He noted the individuals were freed on the following day with no charges filed.

"The intent is obvious here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," the congressman stated. "This represents a militarized effort to provoke unrest. It is merely a excuse to provoke conflict for federal officials to bring in the military to halt violence that they themselves caused."

Widespread Condemnation

Anger over the ICE raid rapidly grew – each of the NYC mayor hopefuls denounced the raid, as did the state leader.

"Once again, the federal government opts for oppressive displays that generate terror, rather than security. It has to end," one mayoral candidate wrote.

The city's community groups expressed outrage too.

"Federal officers descended on the neighborhood with military-style vehicles, masked agents and riot gear to go after small merchants attempting to earn income. This raid had no relation to public safety and was entirely about terrorizing immigrant families and areas," stated the head of a major immigrant coalition.

ICE Policies

Official guidelines forbids the holding of citizens and the organization has claimed it does not take into custody US citizens. Nevertheless, investigative journalism has revealed that numerous citizens have been held against their will by ICE since the beginning of the present government.

Current Situation

Enforcement actions have been rising in frequency in the state and around the country lately.

A mid-October raid in midtown Manhattan was the earliest reported action on an refuge facility of the existing leadership. Protests against immigration enforcement are ubiquitous including claims of aggression and abusive practices.

Latest, a submission provided by advocacy organizations claimed inadequate care of expectant mothers in detention centers.