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New York state attorney general has launched a fresh reporting form encouraging citizens to share photos and videos of ICE operations around New York. This step comes just a day after a major ICE raid disrupted Chinatown in Manhattan, prompting mass outcry.

US Citizens Held In Enforcement Action

A US congressman revealed during a Wednesday press conference that four US citizens were detained and kept for "almost a full day" following the previous day's operation. Rallies erupted in NYC on consecutive evenings.

"All New York residents deserves to reside free from terror," the attorney general declared in a announcement.

"If you witnessed and recorded immigration enforcement during the raid, I encourage you to provide that footage with the authorities. We are committed to examining these reports and evaluating any legal breaches."

Form Details

The form provides fields to submit images and video footage of the incident, as well as a area to indicate where it occurred. Before submitting, submitters must check a option that states that "authorities might employ any materials, images, or footage in a official report, including in a lawsuit or public report."

Details of the ICE Action

The Manhattan operation, which onlookers say included dozens of federal agents, occurred in a popular area of Manhattan where fake products and merchandise are regularly available en masse – often to sightseers.

Footage of the operation reveal multiple masked and armed personnel securing and holding a man, and forcing aside witnesses. Crowds of residents followed the officers down the sidewalks. An military-style transport was also seen traveling down the city streets.

Leadership Statements

During a midweek briefing featuring the rights organization, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democratic representative, said that four US citizens were arrested by immigration for about 24 hours and that there were "no circumstances where nationals should be arrested for unjustly." He clarified the individuals were released on the following day with no legal action taken.

"The intent is obvious here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," the congressman remarked. "This represents a militarized effort to incite tension. It is purely a justification to incite violence for this administration to deploy the military to halt unrest that they have created."

Extensive Outcry

Outrage over the immigration operation quickly spread – every political contenders condemned the operation, as did the state leader.

"Yet again, the Trump administration chooses heavy-handed tactics that create fear, rather than security. It must stop," one mayoral candidate stated.

New York City community groups expressed outrage as well.

"ICE targeted the neighborhood with armored transports, covered personnel and tactical gear to focus on small merchants working to survive. This operation had no connection to community security and everything to do with terrorizing immigrant families and communities," said the leader of a rights organization.

ICE Policies

Official guidelines bans the detention of US citizens and the agency has claimed it will not arrest or detain US citizens. Nevertheless, external research has found that more than 170 American nationals have been held against their will by ICE during the period of the existing leadership.

Recent Pattern

Immigration operations have been rising in frequency in New York and nationwide lately.

A mid-October raid in central NYC was the earliest reported action on an housing center of the present government. Protests against ICE are ubiquitous including accusations of violence and inhumane treatment.

Recently, a document submitted by legal entities alleged inadequate care of women with child in detention centers.