🔗 Share this article

New York state attorney general has rolled out a new reporting form encouraging citizens to share visual evidence of immigration raids throughout New York. This action follows a day after a significant enforcement action rattled Manhattan's Chinatown, prompting large-scale protests.

US Citizens Held During Enforcement Action

A lawmaker announced during a Wednesday press conference that four US citizens were taken into custody and kept for "nearly 24 hours" following the previous day's operation. Rallies broke out in the city on consecutive evenings.

"All New York residents has the right to reside free from terror," the AG declared in a statement.

"For those who saw and recorded ICE activity during the raid, I ask you to submit that footage with us. We are committed to assessing these submissions and investigating any violations of law."

Submission Process

The platform offers fields to submit photos and videos of the incident, along with a field to note location information. Prior to sending, submitters must mark a checkbox that confirms that "authorities could utilize any materials, images, or footage in a legal proceeding, including in a court case or public report."

Information about the ICE Action

The Chinatown raid, which onlookers say featured dozens of federal agents, occurred in a well-known neighborhood of NYC where counterfeit handbags, accessories, jewelry and merchandise are sold daily en masse – typically to tourists.

Videos of the incident reveal numerous covered and weaponized personnel securing and holding a person, and shoving away bystanders. Throngs of locals trailed the agents along the roads. An armored military vehicle was observed rolling through the urban roads.

Leadership Statements

At a news conference held with the New York immigrant rights coalition, Representative Goldman, a lawmaker, said that four US citizens were detained by ICE for almost a full day and that there were "no situations where four American citizens should be detained for no reason." He noted the citizens were let go on the following day with no charges filed.

"The goal is evident here. It is not to take criminals off the street," the congressman said. "This represents a armed campaign to provoke unrest. It is merely a pretext to incite violence for this administration to bring in the armed forces to stop unrest that they have created."

Widespread Condemnation

Outrage over the ICE raid escalated – every political contenders denounced the incident, including the state leader.

"Once again, the federal government opts for authoritarian theatrics that create fear, not safety. It has to end," one mayoral candidate stated.

New York City immigrant rights groups voiced concern also.

"Immigration agents targeted the neighborhood with armored transports, masked agents and tactical gear to focus on street vendors trying to make a living. This raid had nothing to do with community security and everything to do with terrorizing immigrant families and areas," said the leader of a advocacy group.

Agency Rules

ICE policy forbids the arrest of American nationals and the agency has claimed it does not arrest or detain citizens. Nevertheless, independent reporting has revealed that numerous US citizens have been taken illegally by federal agents since the start of the existing leadership.

Ongoing Trend

ICE raids have been cropping up increasingly in New York and nationwide recently.

A recent action in midtown Manhattan was the earliest reported action on an refuge facility of the current administration. Rallies against ICE are ubiquitous as are allegations of violence and abusive practices.

Latest, a document submitted by legal entities claimed inadequate care of expectant mothers in detention centers.