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The state attorney general has launched a fresh reporting form encouraging residents to provide images and footage of federal immigration enforcement around the state. This action comes just a day after a high-profile immigration operation shook Chinatown in Manhattan, sparking widespread outcry.

US Citizens Held In Enforcement Action

A congressional representative revealed during a midweek briefing that four citizens were taken into custody and held for "almost a full day" following the enforcement action. Protests broke out in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"Each citizen has the right to reside free from terror," the attorney general wrote in a release.

"For those who saw and captured ICE activity recently, I encourage you to submit that evidence with my office. We are dedicated to reviewing these accounts and determining any wrongdoings."

Form Details

The portal offers options to submit photos and videos of the operation, plus a section to note geographic details. Before submitting, users must mark a option that confirms that "the office may use any evidence provided in a legal proceeding, including in a court case or government document."

Information about the Manhattan Operation

The Manhattan operation, which onlookers say included more than 50 government officers, occurred in a famous district of the city where fake purses, items, goods and additional items are sold daily en masse – often to visitors.

Footage of Tuesday's raid show numerous hooded and equipped personnel securing and holding a person, and forcing aside onlookers. Masses of residents pursued the officers along the roads. An military-style transport was observed traveling down the Manhattan avenues.

Leadership Statements

At a midweek briefing held with the New York immigrant rights coalition, the congressman, a Democratic representative, stated that four nationals were detained by ICE for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no situations where nationals should be detained for no reason." He said the persons were let go on the following day with no legal action taken.

"The goal is evident here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," Goldman remarked. "This constitutes a military-style operation to incite tension. It is merely a pretext to generate turmoil for this administration to deploy the troops to halt conflict that they themselves caused."

Broad Criticism

Outrage over the immigration operation escalated – each of the mayoral candidates condemned the raid, along with Governor Kathy Hochul.

"Yet again, the current administration chooses oppressive displays that instill panic, rather than security. It must stop," a contender declared.

NYC immigrant rights groups voiced concern too.

"Immigration agents descended on Chinatown in NYC with armored transports, hooded officers and tactical gear to focus on local sellers working to survive. This raid had no connection to citizen protection and was entirely about intimidating residents and neighborhoods," stated the leader of a advocacy group.

Agency Rules

ICE policy prohibits the detention of US citizens and the agency has said it does not arrest or detain citizens. However, investigative journalism has discovered that numerous citizens have been detained unlawfully by ICE since the start of the current administration.

Ongoing Trend

Immigration operations have been cropping up increasingly in the state and across the US this year.

An October operation in central NYC was the first known raid on an immigrant shelter of the present government. Protests targeting ICE are commonplace as are claims of force and cruel conditions.

Recently, a letter filed by civil rights groups stated healthcare failures of women with child in detention centers.