🔗 Share this article New York Introduces Portal for Citizens to Share Immigration Footage Following Arrests of 4 American Citizens The state AG has launched a new digital platform encouraging citizens to submit images and footage of federal immigration enforcement throughout New York. This step comes just a day after a major ICE raid shook Chinatown in Manhattan, sparking widespread protests. US Citizens Detained In Enforcement Action A lawmaker disclosed during a Wednesday press conference that four American citizens were taken into custody and held for "nearly 24 hours" after Tuesday's raid. Demonstrations broke out in New York on both Tuesday and Wednesday. "All New York residents is entitled to live without fear," state officials wrote in a release. "For those who saw and documented ICE activity yesterday, I ask you to provide that footage with my office. We are dedicated to examining these accounts and investigating any violations of law." Submission Process The platform includes fields to upload photos and videos of the raid, along with a area to specify location information. Before submitting, submitters must check a option that states that "authorities may use any materials, images, or footage in a legal proceeding, such as in a lawsuit or public report." Information about the Chinatown Raid The enforcement action, which witnesses say featured over fifty ICE personnel, took place in a well-known neighborhood of NYC where fake purses, items, goods and additional items are sold daily en masse – typically to visitors. Videos of Tuesday's raid show numerous covered and weaponized personnel securing and holding a individual, and shoving away witnesses. Crowds of New Yorkers pursued the personnel down the sidewalks. An armored truck was observed moving along the city streets. Leadership Statements At a news conference held with the rights organization, the congressman, a Democrat, announced that four American citizens were detained by ICE for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where nationals should be detained for no reason." He said the individuals were released on Wednesday with no charges filed. "The intent is obvious here. It is not about removing offenders," Goldman said. "This is a militarized effort to provoke unrest. It is simply a pretext to generate turmoil for the government to bring in the military to halt conflict that they themselves caused." Extensive Outcry Fury over the immigration operation escalated – every mayoral candidates criticized the raid, along with the state leader. "Yet again, the current administration selects authoritarian theatrics that instill panic, rather than security. It must stop," a political candidate declared. The city's immigrant rights groups voiced concern also. "Immigration agents descended on Manhattan's Chinatown with armored transports, hooded officers and tactical gear to go after local sellers working to survive. This action had no connection to public safety and was entirely about frightening communities and communities," remarked the president of a rights organization. ICE Policies Official guidelines forbids the detention of US citizens and the bureau has stated it does not arrest or detain citizens. Yet, independent reporting has discovered that over 170 US citizens have been held against their will by federal agents during the period of the current administration. Ongoing Trend Immigration operations have been cropping up increasingly in NY and across the US lately. A mid-October raid in the city center was the first known raid on an refuge facility of the existing leadership. Rallies against ICE are commonplace along with allegations of aggression and inhumane treatment. Latest, a submission submitted by legal entities stated healthcare failures of expectant mothers in government custody.