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New York state attorney general has rolled out a recent reporting form encouraging residents to submit images and footage of federal immigration enforcement across New York. This action follows a day after a major enforcement action shook Manhattan's Chinatown, sparking widespread protests.

American Citizens Detained In Enforcement Action

A congressional representative disclosed during a news conference that four American citizens were arrested and detained for "almost a full day" after Tuesday's raid. Demonstrations broke out in NYC on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

"Each citizen is entitled to reside free from terror," the attorney general declared in a statement.

"For those who saw and captured federal operations during the raid, I urge you to share that footage with the authorities. We are pledged to reviewing these reports and determining any legal breaches."

Submission Process

The portal includes spaces to submit images and video footage of the raid, as well as a section to note geographic details. Prior to sending, users must tick a box that acknowledges that "the office may use any evidence provided in a legal proceeding, such as in a lawsuit or public report."

Details of the ICE Action

The enforcement action, which witnesses say involved more than 50 government officers, occurred in a famous neighborhood of the city where fake purses, items, goods and merchandise are commonly traded en masse – often to sightseers.

Footage of the operation depict numerous hooded and equipped federal agents securing and holding a person, and forcing aside bystanders. Crowds of locals trailed the agents along the roads. An military-style transport was observed rolling through the Manhattan avenues.

Official Reactions

At a news conference organized with the New York immigrant rights coalition, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democratic representative, announced that four US citizens were arrested by immigration for almost a full day and that there were "no situations where nationals should be taken for unjustly." He clarified the persons were freed on the following day with no legal action taken.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," the congressman stated. "This constitutes a armed campaign to create conflict. It is merely a pretext to provoke conflict for this administration to utilize the troops to halt unrest that they themselves caused."

Broad Criticism

Fury over the immigration operation rapidly grew – all three NYC mayor hopefuls denounced the incident, along with the state leader.

"Once again, the current administration opts for authoritarian theatrics that generate terror, rather than security. It must stop," one mayoral candidate declared.

The city's advocacy organizations spoke out also.

"ICE raided Chinatown in NYC with armored transports, hooded officers and protective equipment to focus on local sellers working to survive. This raid had no relation to community security and everything to do with terrorizing immigrant families and neighborhoods," remarked the leader of a major immigrant coalition.

Agency Rules

Agency rules forbids the detention of US citizens and the agency has stated it refrains from take into custody American nationals. Yet, investigative journalism has revealed that more than 170 US citizens have been detained unlawfully by immigration authorities since the beginning of the current administration.

Recent Pattern

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

A mid-October raid in central NYC was the initial documented operation on an housing center of the current administration. Demonstrations against federal operations are commonplace including allegations of force and abusive practices.

Latest, a document filed by legal entities alleged healthcare failures of expectant mothers in detention centers.