🔗 Share this article New York Introduces Reporting Tool for Citizens to Share Immigration Videos After Detentions of 4 American Citizens The state attorney general has introduced a fresh reporting form encouraging citizens to submit visual evidence of federal immigration enforcement across New York. This move comes just a shortly after a significant ICE raid disrupted Manhattan's Chinatown, triggering large-scale outcry. US Citizens Arrested During Raid A congressional representative revealed during a Wednesday press conference that four US citizens were arrested and held for "almost a full day" after Tuesday's raid. Demonstrations erupted in NYC on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. "Every New Yorker has the right to reside free from terror," the attorney general wrote in a statement. "If you witnessed and recorded federal operations yesterday, I urge you to provide that evidence with my office. We are pledged to examining these accounts and evaluating any violations of law." Submission Process The form provides fields to send visual evidence of the operation, plus a section to specify location information. Before submitting, users must check a checkbox that confirms that "authorities might employ any evidence provided in a official report, such as in a legal proceeding or government document." Information about the Chinatown Raid The Chinatown raid, which witnesses say included dozens of federal agents, occurred in a famous neighborhood of NYC where imitation handbags, accessories, jewelry and merchandise are sold daily en masse – typically to tourists. Videos of Tuesday's raid show several masked and armed officers securing and holding a man, and forcing aside onlookers. Throngs of locals followed the personnel through the streets. An armored truck was noticed traveling down the city streets. Political Response At a Wednesday press conference organized with the New York immigrant rights coalition, the congressman, a Democratic representative, said that four American citizens were taken by federal agents for almost a full day and that there were "no circumstances where four American citizens should be arrested for without cause." He clarified the individuals were freed on Wednesday with no charges filed. "The intent is obvious here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," he said. "This represents a militarized effort to incite tension. It is merely a pretext to generate turmoil for the government to utilize the troops to stop violence that they themselves caused." Widespread Condemnation Anger over the immigration operation rapidly grew – each of the NYC mayor hopefuls criticized the incident, including NY's governor. "Once again, the current administration chooses authoritarian theatrics that instill panic, rather than security. It has to end," a political candidate stated. NYC community groups spoke out as well. "Federal officers raided the neighborhood with tactical trucks, masked agents and protective equipment to go after street vendors working to survive. This raid had no connection to public safety and focused completely on terrorizing immigrant families and areas," stated the leader of a rights organization. Agency Rules Official guidelines bans the holding of citizens and the agency has said it will not arrest or detain US citizens. Yet, investigative journalism has revealed that over 170 US citizens have been taken illegally by federal agents since the start of the present government. Current Situation Enforcement actions have been rising in frequency in the state and nationwide lately. An October operation in the city center was the first known raid on an housing center of the present government. Demonstrations targeting immigration enforcement are commonplace along with allegations of aggression and cruel conditions. Recently, a submission submitted by civil rights groups stated healthcare failures of expectant mothers in detention centers.