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The state attorney general has rolled out a new reporting form encouraging locals to provide images and footage of immigration raids across the state. This action comes just a day after a major immigration operation shook NYC's Chinatown, sparking widespread protests.

American Citizens Detained During Enforcement Action

A congressional representative announced during a news conference that four US citizens were taken into custody and kept for "about 24 hours" after the enforcement action. Protests occurred in the city on consecutive evenings.

"All New York residents has the right to live without fear," state officials declared in a release.

"For those who saw and documented federal operations recently, I ask you to provide that material with my office. We are pledged to examining these reports and evaluating any wrongdoings."

Form Details

The form provides fields to upload images and video footage of the incident, as well as a area to indicate location information. When submitting, individuals must check a option that states that "authorities might employ any materials, images, or footage in a official report, such as in a lawsuit or government document."

Information about the ICE Action

The Chinatown raid, which witnesses say included more than 50 government officers, took place in a famous neighborhood of Manhattan where imitation products and additional items are commonly traded widely – typically to tourists.

Recordings of the operation reveal multiple hooded and equipped personnel zip-tying and detaining a man, and pushing back witnesses. Throngs of New Yorkers followed the officers along the roads. An military-style transport was also seen rolling through the Manhattan avenues.

Political Response

In a news conference held with the New York immigrant rights coalition, the congressman, a lawmaker, announced that four US citizens were taken by federal agents for almost a full day and that there were "no circumstances where US citizens should be taken for without cause." He noted the persons were freed on Wednesday with no accusations made.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not to take criminals off the street," Goldman said. "This constitutes a military-style operation to provoke unrest. It is simply a pretext to incite violence for this administration to deploy the armed forces to halt conflict that they themselves caused."

Extensive Outcry

Fury over the immigration operation quickly spread – all three mayoral candidates criticized the operation, including the state leader.

"Once again, the federal government selects heavy-handed tactics that generate terror, instead of protection. It needs to cease," a contender stated.

New York City community groups expressed outrage as well.

"ICE raided Chinatown in NYC with tactical trucks, masked agents and tactical gear to target small merchants trying to make a living. This raid had no relation to citizen protection and focused completely on frightening communities and communities," stated the leader of a rights organization.

Official Guidelines

ICE policy prohibits the holding of citizens and the agency has said it refrains from arrest or detain citizens. Yet, independent reporting has discovered that more than 170 citizens have been held against their will by immigration authorities during the period of the existing leadership.

Ongoing Trend

Immigration operations have been rising in frequency in the state and nationwide this year.

An October operation in the city center was the initial documented operation on an housing center of the existing leadership. Protests against ICE are widespread along with accusations of aggression and abusive practices.

Most recently, a letter provided by advocacy organizations alleged healthcare failures of women with child in detention centers.