🔗 Share this article

The state attorney general has introduced a new digital platform asking locals to submit visual evidence of immigration raids throughout New York. This step comes just a shortly after a high-profile enforcement action shook NYC's Chinatown, triggering widespread demonstrations.

US Citizens Held During Enforcement Action

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

"Every New Yorker is entitled to live without fear," the attorney general wrote in a release.

"For those who saw and documented federal operations recently, I urge you to provide that material with the authorities. We are pledged to reviewing these accounts and investigating any violations of law."

Submission Process

The platform offers options to send photos and videos of the raid, plus a area to note location information. Before submitting, submitters must mark a option that acknowledges that "authorities could utilize any evidence provided in a official report, including in a court case or government document."

Information about the Manhattan Operation

The Manhattan operation, which onlookers say involved more than 50 federal agents, took place in a well-known district of the city where counterfeit purses, items, goods and merchandise are sold daily en masse – frequently to sightseers.

Recordings of Tuesday's raid show several covered and weaponized personnel securing and holding a person, and pushing back onlookers. Throngs of residents followed the officers down the sidewalks. An military-style transport was also seen moving along the urban roads.

Leadership Statements

In a midweek briefing featuring the rights organization, the congressman, a Democrat, announced that four American citizens were taken by federal agents for about 24 hours and that there were "no situations where four American citizens should be arrested for unjustly." He said the persons were let go on the following day with no accusations made.

"The goal is evident here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," the congressman stated. "This constitutes a military-style operation to provoke unrest. It is merely a pretext to generate turmoil for federal officials to bring in the military to stop unrest that they initiated."

Widespread Condemnation

Outrage over the ICE raid escalated – each of the NYC mayor hopefuls condemned the raid, along with the state leader.

"Once again, the Trump administration opts for oppressive displays that create fear, instead of protection. It needs to cease," a contender wrote.

The city's immigrant rights groups spoke out too.

"ICE raided Chinatown in NYC with military-style vehicles, masked agents and tactical gear to target small merchants trying to make a living. This operation had nothing to do with community security and was entirely about frightening communities and areas," said the president of a rights organization.

Agency Rules

Official guidelines forbids the holding of citizens and the organization has stated it does not apprehend American nationals. Yet, independent reporting has found that numerous American nationals have been taken illegally by federal agents since the beginning of the present government.

Recent Pattern

ICE raids have been cropping up increasingly in NY and across the US this year.

An October operation in central NYC was the initial documented operation on an immigrant shelter of the current administration. Rallies targeting ICE are commonplace including accusations of force and cruel conditions.

Recently, a submission filed by civil rights groups claimed medical neglect of pregnant women in ICE facilities.