🔗 Share this article NY Introduces Reporting Tool for Residents to Report ICE Videos After Arrests of 4 American Citizens New York state AG has rolled out a fresh reporting form encouraging locals to provide visual evidence of federal immigration enforcement throughout the state. This move comes just a shortly after a significant ICE raid shook Manhattan's Chinatown, sparking mass protests. American Citizens Held In Enforcement Action A congressional representative disclosed during a midweek briefing that four American citizens were taken into custody and held for "about 24 hours" following the previous day's operation. Demonstrations broke out in NYC on both Tuesday and Wednesday. "Every New Yorker has the right to reside free from terror," the AG declared in a release. "For those who saw and documented immigration enforcement recently, I encourage you to share that material with the authorities. We are committed to reviewing these reports and evaluating any violations of law." Submission Process The platform offers options to upload images and video footage of the incident, plus a section to specify where it occurred. Before submitting, users must tick a option that acknowledges that "the office may use any documents, photographs, or videos in a legal proceeding, such as in a legal proceeding or public report." Details of the Chinatown Raid The enforcement action, which observers say involved more than 50 government officers, took place in a well-known district of Manhattan where fake handbags, accessories, jewelry and other goods are sold daily in large quantities – frequently to visitors. Footage of the incident show several masked and armed federal agents securing and holding a person, and forcing aside onlookers. Throngs of locals pursued the personnel down the sidewalks. An military-style transport was observed traveling down the urban roads. Leadership Statements In a Wednesday press conference organized with the rights organization, Representative Goldman, a Democratic representative, said that four American citizens were arrested by immigration for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no situations where four American citizens should be arrested for no reason." He said the citizens were freed on the following day with no charges filed. "There's a clear purpose here. It is not about removing offenders," he remarked. "This is a armed campaign to incite tension. It is simply a justification to incite violence for federal officials to deploy the armed forces to prevent violence that they initiated." Widespread Condemnation Fury over the ICE raid rapidly grew – all three NYC mayor hopefuls condemned the raid, as did NY's governor. "Yet again, the current administration opts for heavy-handed tactics that generate terror, rather than security. It needs to cease," one mayoral candidate stated. New York City community groups expressed outrage as well. "ICE raided Chinatown in NYC with military-style vehicles, masked agents and riot gear to target street vendors working to survive. This raid had no relation to citizen protection and everything to do with intimidating residents and areas," remarked the head of a major immigrant coalition. Agency Rules Agency rules bans the detention of US citizens and the organization has stated it refrains from arrest or detain American nationals. Yet, investigative journalism has found that over 170 citizens have been detained unlawfully by federal agents during the period of the current administration. Recent Pattern ICE raids have been rising in frequency in the state and nationwide this year. An October operation in midtown Manhattan was the first known raid on an housing center of the existing leadership. Protests opposing immigration enforcement are widespread as are claims of violence and cruel conditions. Most recently, a submission filed by advocacy organizations stated medical neglect of pregnant women in government custody.