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New York state attorney general has launched a recent reporting form encouraging locals to submit photos and videos of immigration raids around the state. This move comes just a day after a major immigration operation disrupted Chinatown in Manhattan, sparking mass demonstrations.

US Citizens Arrested During Enforcement Action

A lawmaker disclosed during a Wednesday press conference that four American citizens were taken into custody and kept for "nearly 24 hours" following the previous day's operation. Demonstrations erupted in NYC on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

"Every New Yorker is entitled to exist without intimidation," the attorney general stated in a announcement.

"For those who saw and recorded federal operations during the raid, I ask you to submit that material with my office. We are committed to assessing these submissions and determining any violations of law."

Form Details

The form offers spaces to send images and video footage of the incident, as well as a area to specify geographic details. Before submitting, submitters must tick a box that acknowledges that "authorities might employ any evidence provided in a public document, including in a lawsuit or public report."

Details of the Manhattan Operation

The Chinatown raid, which witnesses say included dozens of government officers, happened in a famous neighborhood of NYC where fake handbags, accessories, jewelry and additional items are sold daily in large quantities – typically to tourists.

Footage of the incident reveal multiple hooded and equipped personnel securing and holding a individual, and pushing back bystanders. Crowds of residents followed the personnel through the streets. An military-style transport was noticed rolling through the Manhattan avenues.

Leadership Statements

In a midweek briefing featuring the New York immigrant rights coalition, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democratic representative, said that four nationals were detained by ICE for about 24 hours and that there were "no situations where US citizens should be arrested for unjustly." He clarified the citizens were released on Wednesday with no accusations made.

"The goal is evident here. It is not about removing offenders," Goldman said. "This constitutes a militarized effort to create conflict. It is simply a justification to provoke conflict for federal officials to bring in the military to halt violence that they themselves caused."

Extensive Outcry

Anger over the immigration operation quickly spread – each of the NYC mayor hopefuls criticized the operation, along with NY's governor.

"Repeatedly, the current administration opts for heavy-handed tactics that instill panic, instead of protection. It must stop," a contender declared.

The city's advocacy organizations spoke out as well.

"Immigration agents descended on Manhattan's Chinatown with military-style vehicles, covered personnel and protective equipment to focus on small merchants working to survive. This operation had no connection to public safety and everything to do with frightening communities and areas," stated the head of a rights organization.

Agency Rules

Official guidelines forbids the holding of citizens and the organization has said it will not arrest or detain US citizens. Yet, investigative journalism has discovered that over 170 citizens have been taken illegally by federal agents since the start of the present government.

Current Situation

Immigration operations have been cropping up increasingly in the state and across the US this year.

A recent action in central NYC was the initial documented operation on an immigrant shelter of the current administration. Protests opposing ICE are ubiquitous as are accusations of violence and cruel conditions.

Most recently, a submission submitted by civil rights groups claimed healthcare failures of pregnant women in detention centers.