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New York state attorney general has introduced a recent online portal encouraging citizens to share images and footage of federal immigration enforcement throughout the state. This move follows a shortly after a significant enforcement action shook Manhattan's Chinatown, prompting mass demonstrations.

American Citizens Detained During Raid

A lawmaker announced during a news conference that four American citizens were taken into custody and detained for "almost a full day" following the enforcement action. Protests erupted in New York on consecutive evenings.

"Every New Yorker is entitled to exist without intimidation," state officials stated in a release.

"If you witnessed and documented ICE activity during the raid, I ask you to share that footage with the authorities. We are dedicated to examining these submissions and evaluating any legal breaches."

Submission Process

The portal offers fields to submit photos and videos of the raid, plus a field to specify where it occurred. When submitting, users must mark a option that states that "authorities may use any evidence provided in a legal proceeding, including in a lawsuit or public report."

Information about the Manhattan Operation

The enforcement action, which onlookers say featured over fifty ICE personnel, occurred in a famous district of NYC where fake purses, items, goods and other goods are regularly available en masse – typically to visitors.

Footage of Tuesday's raid show multiple masked and armed officers zip-tying and detaining a person, and shoving away onlookers. Crowds of New Yorkers trailed the personnel along the roads. An armored military vehicle was noticed rolling through the Manhattan avenues.

Leadership Statements

In a Wednesday press conference organized with the immigrant advocacy group, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democrat, stated that four American citizens were taken by federal agents for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no situations where nationals should be taken for without cause." He said the persons were let go on the following day with no accusations made.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," the congressman remarked. "This represents a armed campaign to create conflict. It is purely a pretext to generate turmoil for the government to deploy the armed forces to prevent conflict that they themselves caused."

Broad Criticism

Outrage over the ICE raid rapidly grew – every political contenders denounced the incident, as did the state leader.

"Repeatedly, the current administration selects heavy-handed tactics that generate terror, not safety. It needs to cease," a contender declared.

The city's immigrant rights groups voiced concern too.

"Immigration agents targeted Chinatown in NYC with military-style vehicles, hooded officers and protective equipment to go after street vendors trying to make a living. This raid had no connection to community security and everything to do with frightening communities and neighborhoods," said the leader of a rights organization.

ICE Policies

ICE policy forbids the arrest of American nationals and the bureau has said it will not apprehend citizens. However, external research has found that more than 170 US citizens have been held against their will by immigration authorities during the period of the current administration.

Current Situation

ICE raids have been cropping up increasingly in NY and across the US this year.

A recent action in midtown Manhattan was the earliest reported action on an refuge facility of the existing leadership. Rallies targeting immigration enforcement are ubiquitous along with accusations of violence and inhumane treatment.

Most recently, a document filed by legal entities claimed medical neglect of pregnant women in ICE facilities.