🔗 Share this article NY Unveils Portal for Public to Report ICE Videos After Arrests of 4 US Citizens The state attorney general has rolled out a new online portal encouraging citizens to submit images and footage of federal immigration enforcement across the state. This move comes just a shortly after a high-profile immigration operation rattled Chinatown in Manhattan, sparking widespread protests. US Citizens Arrested In Raid A lawmaker announced during a Wednesday press conference that four US citizens were arrested and detained for "about 24 hours" following the previous day's operation. Demonstrations broke out in the city on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. "Each citizen is entitled to exist without intimidation," state officials wrote in a statement. "Anyone who observed and recorded federal operations recently, I ask you to provide that material with the authorities. We are pledged to assessing these reports and investigating any violations of law." Form Details The platform provides options to send images and video footage of the raid, plus a section to note geographic details. Prior to sending, users must mark a box that acknowledges that "authorities might employ any evidence provided in a official report, such as in a legal proceeding or government document." Details of the Manhattan Operation The Chinatown raid, which witnesses say included over fifty government officers, happened in a well-known neighborhood of Manhattan where fake handbags, accessories, jewelry and other goods are regularly available widely – frequently to visitors. Videos of the operation depict multiple hooded and equipped federal agents restraining and arresting a individual, and shoving away witnesses. Crowds of residents pursued the officers down the sidewalks. An armored military vehicle was noticed traveling down the city streets. Official Reactions In a news conference held with the New York immigrant rights coalition, congressman Dan Goldman, a lawmaker, announced that four US citizens were detained by ICE for almost a full day and that there were "no circumstances where US citizens should be arrested for without cause." He said the persons were released on the following day with no legal action taken. "The intent is obvious here. It is not to take criminals off the street," he stated. "This is a militarized effort to incite tension. It is purely a excuse to incite violence for federal officials to deploy the military to halt unrest that they have created." Broad Criticism Anger over the ICE raid escalated – every NYC mayor hopefuls criticized the incident, as did Governor Kathy Hochul. "Yet again, the current administration opts for authoritarian theatrics that generate terror, not safety. It has to end," a contender wrote. NYC immigrant rights groups expressed outrage too. "Immigration agents targeted Chinatown in NYC with armored transports, covered personnel and protective equipment to target local sellers attempting to earn income. This raid had no connection to community security and everything to do with frightening communities and neighborhoods," said the leader of a advocacy group. ICE Policies Agency rules forbids the detention of US citizens and the organization has claimed it will not apprehend US citizens. Yet, independent reporting has found that more than 170 American nationals have been taken illegally by immigration authorities during the period of the present government. Current Situation Enforcement actions have been rising in frequency in NY and around the country recently. An October operation in central NYC was the first known raid on an housing center of the present government. Rallies targeting immigration enforcement are ubiquitous as are claims of violence and inhumane treatment. Most recently, a document provided by civil rights groups claimed inadequate care of women with child in government custody.