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The state attorney general has rolled out a recent digital platform urging citizens to share visual evidence of federal immigration enforcement across New York. This move follows a day after a high-profile enforcement action disrupted Manhattan's Chinatown, sparking widespread outcry.

US Citizens Detained During Raid

A lawmaker announced during a Wednesday press conference that four American citizens were detained and kept for "nearly 24 hours" after Tuesday's raid. Demonstrations broke out in the city on consecutive evenings.

"All New York residents has the right to reside free from terror," the attorney general stated in a statement.

"For those who saw and documented federal operations yesterday, I urge you to submit that material with my office. We are dedicated to examining these reports and evaluating any legal breaches."

Submission Process

The form provides options to upload visual evidence of the operation, along with a area to note geographic details. When submitting, submitters must mark a option that confirms that "the attorney general could utilize any evidence provided in a legal proceeding, including in a legal proceeding or government document."

Details of the Chinatown Raid

The Manhattan operation, which witnesses say included over fifty federal agents, took place in a famous area of NYC where counterfeit purses, items, goods and additional items are commonly traded widely – often to sightseers.

Recordings of Tuesday's raid show multiple hooded and equipped federal agents restraining and arresting a man, and pushing back bystanders. Throngs of residents pursued the personnel down the sidewalks. An armored military vehicle was also seen traveling down the city streets.

Leadership Statements

During a Wednesday press conference featuring the rights organization, Representative Goldman, a lawmaker, said that four American citizens were arrested by immigration for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no situations where four American citizens should be taken for unjustly." He clarified the citizens were released on the following day with no legal action taken.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not to take criminals off the street," Goldman stated. "This constitutes a armed campaign to incite tension. It is simply a pretext to provoke conflict for federal officials to deploy the armed forces to halt conflict that they themselves caused."

Widespread Condemnation

Anger over the immigration operation quickly spread – each of the political contenders denounced the incident, as did NY's governor.

"Once again, the federal government selects heavy-handed tactics that instill panic, instead of protection. It must stop," one mayoral candidate declared.

The city's immigrant rights groups spoke out also.

"Immigration agents raided Manhattan's Chinatown with military-style vehicles, covered personnel and tactical gear to focus on street vendors trying to make a living. This raid had no relation to community security and was entirely about frightening communities and communities," stated the president of a advocacy group.

Agency Rules

ICE policy forbids the detention of US citizens and the bureau has claimed it refrains from take into custody US citizens. Nevertheless, investigative journalism has found that over 170 US citizens have been held against their will by federal agents since the start of the existing leadership.

Ongoing Trend

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

A recent action in the city center was the first known raid on an housing center of the current administration. Demonstrations targeting federal operations are commonplace along with accusations of violence and abusive practices.

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