🔗 Share this article

The state AG has launched a recent reporting form encouraging citizens to submit images and footage of immigration raids throughout the state. This move follows a shortly after a high-profile ICE raid shook NYC's Chinatown, sparking widespread protests.

US Citizens Detained During Raid

A US congressman announced during a Wednesday press conference that four US citizens were detained and held for "about 24 hours" after Tuesday's raid. Demonstrations occurred in New York on consecutive evenings.

"Every New Yorker is entitled to exist without intimidation," the attorney general stated in a statement.

"If you witnessed and captured ICE activity during the raid, I encourage you to share that footage with the authorities. We are pledged to reviewing these reports and determining any wrongdoings."

Portal Features

The platform offers spaces to send visual evidence of the raid, as well as a section to note location information. When submitting, submitters must tick a checkbox that acknowledges that "the attorney general might employ any documents, photographs, or videos in a legal proceeding, including in a lawsuit or government document."

Information about the Manhattan Operation

The Manhattan operation, which witnesses say involved dozens of federal agents, occurred in a popular area of the city where imitation purses, items, goods and additional items are sold daily in large quantities – typically to visitors.

Footage of the incident reveal several covered and weaponized officers zip-tying and detaining a man, and forcing aside bystanders. Throngs of New Yorkers trailed the agents through the streets. An military-style transport was also seen traveling down the city streets.

Political Response

In a news conference organized with the immigrant advocacy group, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democrat, said that four nationals were taken by federal agents for almost a full day and that there were "no situations where nationals should be taken for no reason." He noted the persons were let go on Wednesday with no charges filed.

"The intent is obvious here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," Goldman remarked. "This is a military-style operation to provoke unrest. It is merely a justification to incite violence for federal officials to bring in the armed forces to stop unrest that they have created."

Widespread Condemnation

Fury over the ICE raid rapidly grew – all three NYC mayor hopefuls criticized the operation, along with NY's governor.

"Yet again, the federal government opts for heavy-handed tactics that generate terror, instead of protection. It has to end," one mayoral candidate wrote.

NYC immigrant rights groups spoke out too.

"Immigration agents raided the neighborhood with armored transports, masked agents and tactical gear to go after small merchants attempting to earn income. This raid had no relation to community security and was entirely about intimidating residents and communities," remarked the head of a rights organization.

Official Guidelines

Official guidelines forbids the holding of citizens and the agency has stated it will not arrest or detain US citizens. Nevertheless, independent reporting has found that numerous US citizens have been detained unlawfully by ICE since the start of the present government.

Current Situation

Immigration operations have been becoming more common in New York and around the country recently.

A recent action in midtown Manhattan was the initial documented operation on an immigrant shelter of the present government. Protests targeting immigration enforcement are ubiquitous including allegations of force and inhumane treatment.

Most recently, a document provided by civil rights groups stated healthcare failures of women with child in detention centers.