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New York state attorney general has launched a recent reporting form urging locals to provide visual evidence of immigration raids around the state. This step comes just a day after a high-profile enforcement action disrupted Chinatown in Manhattan, prompting widespread protests.

US Citizens Held In ICE Operation

A US congressman announced during a midweek briefing that four US citizens were taken into custody and held for "about 24 hours" after Tuesday's raid. Demonstrations erupted in NYC on consecutive evenings.

"Every New Yorker deserves to live without fear," state officials stated in a announcement.

"For those who saw and documented ICE activity during the raid, I urge you to share that footage with my office. We are pledged to assessing these submissions and evaluating any legal breaches."

Submission Process

The portal provides options to send visual evidence of the raid, as well as a section to indicate geographic details. Before submitting, individuals must tick a checkbox that confirms that "authorities might employ any evidence provided in a public document, such as in a lawsuit or public report."

Details of the ICE Action

The Manhattan operation, which observers say featured more than 50 federal agents, happened in a well-known neighborhood of Manhattan where fake products and merchandise are sold daily en masse – often to sightseers.

Videos of Tuesday's raid reveal numerous covered and weaponized personnel restraining and arresting a person, and shoving away bystanders. Crowds of New Yorkers pursued the agents along the roads. An military-style transport was observed traveling down the Manhattan avenues.

Political Response

At a news conference featuring the New York immigrant rights coalition, Representative Goldman, a Democrat, said that four nationals were arrested by immigration for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where US citizens should be arrested for unjustly." He clarified the citizens were let go on Wednesday with no charges filed.

"The goal is evident here. It is not about removing offenders," the congressman said. "This constitutes a militarized effort to incite tension. It is purely a excuse to generate turmoil for this administration to deploy the armed forces to halt conflict that they have created."

Broad Criticism

Anger over the federal action escalated – all three NYC mayor hopefuls denounced the incident, including NY's governor.

"Yet again, the current administration opts for oppressive displays that instill panic, not safety. It needs to cease," a contender wrote.

The city's immigrant rights groups expressed outrage also.

"Federal officers raided Chinatown in NYC with military-style vehicles, masked agents and protective equipment to focus on local sellers trying to make a living. This operation had no connection to community security and everything to do with intimidating residents and areas," stated the leader of a major immigrant coalition.

ICE Policies

ICE policy bans the holding of citizens and the bureau has said it does not arrest or detain citizens. However, independent reporting has discovered that more than 170 US citizens have been taken illegally by ICE during the period of the existing leadership.

Ongoing Trend

ICE raids have been rising in frequency in the state and nationwide this year.

An October operation in central NYC was the first known raid on an refuge facility of the present government. Protests opposing ICE are commonplace including allegations of force and cruel conditions.

Latest, a document provided by legal entities claimed inadequate care of women with child in ICE facilities.