NY Launches Reporting Tool for Residents to Share ICE Images Following Detentions of Four US Citizens

The state AG has rolled out a recent reporting form encouraging citizens to provide photos and videos of federal immigration enforcement throughout New York. This action follows a day after a high-profile enforcement action shook NYC's Chinatown, sparking large-scale outcry.

US Citizens Held In Enforcement Action

A US congressman revealed during a news conference that four US citizens were arrested and kept for "nearly 24 hours" following the enforcement action. Rallies broke out in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"Each citizen is entitled to exist without intimidation," the attorney general wrote in a statement.

"If you witnessed and captured ICE activity during the raid, I urge you to provide that footage with us. We are dedicated to assessing these reports and investigating any wrongdoings."

Submission Process

The platform offers options to send visual evidence of the incident, plus a area to indicate geographic details. When submitting, submitters must mark a box that states that "the attorney general may use any documents, photographs, or videos in a official report, such as in a court case or government document."

Information about the Chinatown Raid

The Manhattan operation, which onlookers say featured over fifty government officers, happened in a well-known district of NYC where imitation purses, items, goods and merchandise are sold daily in large quantities – often to tourists.

Videos of the operation show numerous covered and weaponized officers securing and holding a individual, and pushing back witnesses. Crowds of residents pursued the officers along the roads. An armored truck was noticed traveling down the Manhattan avenues.

Leadership Statements

In a midweek briefing organized with the immigrant advocacy group, the congressman, a Democratic representative, announced that four US citizens were detained by ICE for almost a full day and that there were "no circumstances where four American citizens should be taken for no reason." He clarified the citizens were freed on Wednesday with no charges filed.

"The goal is evident here. It is not about removing offenders," Goldman stated. "This constitutes a military-style operation to create conflict. It is purely a justification to provoke conflict for the government to utilize the troops to halt conflict that they themselves caused."

Extensive Outcry

Outrage over the ICE raid quickly spread – every NYC mayor hopefuls criticized the raid, as did the state leader.

"Once again, the Trump administration selects heavy-handed tactics that instill panic, not safety. It has to end," a contender declared.

New York City advocacy organizations voiced concern too.

"Federal officers raided Manhattan's Chinatown with military-style vehicles, masked agents and protective equipment to target small merchants trying to make a living. This operation had nothing to do with citizen protection and everything to do with intimidating residents and neighborhoods," remarked the president of a rights organization.

Official Guidelines

Official guidelines bans the arrest of American nationals and the organization has claimed it refrains from take into custody US citizens. Yet, independent reporting has discovered that over 170 citizens have been held against their will by federal agents since the start of the current administration.

Recent Pattern

Enforcement actions have been becoming more common in NY and nationwide lately.

An October operation in central NYC was the earliest reported action on an immigrant shelter of the present government. Protests opposing immigration enforcement are widespread as are allegations of force and inhumane treatment.

Latest, a letter filed by civil rights groups alleged inadequate care of women with child in government custody.