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The state attorney general has introduced a new reporting form urging locals to submit visual evidence of immigration raids across New York. This step follows a shortly after a major enforcement action rattled NYC's Chinatown, prompting mass outcry.

US Citizens Held During ICE Operation

A congressional representative announced during a midweek briefing that four American citizens were detained and detained for "nearly 24 hours" following the enforcement action. Rallies occurred in New York on consecutive evenings.

"Every New Yorker is entitled to reside free from terror," state officials stated in a release.

"Anyone who observed and captured federal operations recently, I ask you to submit that material with us. We are committed to assessing these accounts and evaluating any legal breaches."

Form Details

The portal includes fields to upload images and video footage of the operation, along with a field to indicate location information. Before submitting, individuals must check a checkbox that confirms that "authorities could utilize any documents, photographs, or videos in a legal proceeding, such as in a legal proceeding or government document."

Details of the ICE Action

The enforcement action, which onlookers say featured dozens of federal agents, took place in a popular neighborhood of NYC where imitation purses, items, goods and additional items are sold daily in large quantities – frequently to visitors.

Footage of Tuesday's raid reveal numerous hooded and equipped federal agents zip-tying and detaining a individual, and shoving away bystanders. Throngs of residents pursued the agents through the streets. An military-style transport was also seen traveling down the city streets.

Leadership Statements

In a midweek briefing organized with the immigrant advocacy group, Representative Goldman, a Democratic representative, announced that four nationals were detained by ICE for almost a full day and that there were "no situations where US citizens should be taken for without cause." He said the persons were let go on Wednesday with no charges filed.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," he said. "This is a militarized effort to create conflict. It is simply a justification to generate turmoil for this administration to deploy the military to prevent conflict that they initiated."

Broad Criticism

Fury over the immigration operation quickly spread – every mayoral candidates criticized the incident, as did NY's governor.

"Yet again, the current administration chooses heavy-handed tactics that generate terror, rather than security. It must stop," a contender declared.

NYC immigrant rights groups expressed outrage too.

"Federal officers targeted the neighborhood with tactical trucks, masked agents and tactical gear to target small merchants attempting to earn income. This operation had no connection to citizen protection and was entirely about terrorizing immigrant families and areas," said the president of a advocacy group.

ICE Policies

Official guidelines bans the detention of US citizens and the agency has said it will not take into custody US citizens. However, independent reporting has revealed that more than 170 American nationals have been held against their will by immigration authorities since the beginning of the current administration.

Ongoing Trend

Immigration operations have been becoming more common in New York and nationwide recently.

An October operation in midtown Manhattan was the initial documented operation on an immigrant shelter of the existing leadership. Demonstrations opposing ICE are widespread including claims of force and abusive practices.

Latest, a letter filed by legal entities stated inadequate care of women with child in government custody.