🔗 Share this article NY Launches Online Platform for Citizens to Report ICE Images Following Arrests of 4 American Citizens The state AG has rolled out a fresh reporting form asking locals to provide images and footage of federal immigration enforcement around New York. This step follows a shortly after a high-profile immigration operation disrupted NYC's Chinatown, triggering large-scale demonstrations. US Citizens Held In Enforcement Action A congressional representative disclosed during a Wednesday press conference that four US citizens were detained and kept for "about 24 hours" after the previous day's operation. Protests erupted in the city on consecutive evenings. "Every New Yorker is entitled to exist without intimidation," the AG wrote in a announcement. "Anyone who observed and captured federal operations recently, I encourage you to share that footage with us. We are committed to assessing these reports and evaluating any wrongdoings." Form Details The platform provides fields to upload visual evidence of the incident, plus a area to note geographic details. Prior to sending, individuals must mark a box that acknowledges that "authorities could utilize any evidence provided in a public document, including in a court case or official statement." Details of the ICE Action The Manhattan operation, which witnesses say included more than 50 federal agents, happened in a popular neighborhood of the city where imitation handbags, accessories, jewelry and additional items are sold daily widely – often to visitors. Videos of the operation depict numerous masked and armed federal agents zip-tying and detaining a individual, and pushing back bystanders. Masses of residents followed the officers through the streets. An military-style transport was observed traveling down the Manhattan avenues. Leadership Statements In a Wednesday press conference featuring the rights organization, the congressman, a Democrat, stated that four nationals were taken by federal agents for almost a full day and that there were "no situations where nationals should be detained for unjustly." He noted the citizens were let go on Wednesday with no legal action taken. "The goal is evident here. It is not to take criminals off the street," he stated. "This is a militarized effort to create conflict. It is purely a pretext to incite violence for federal officials to utilize the troops to halt conflict that they themselves caused." Broad Criticism Outrage over the federal action escalated – each of the political contenders criticized the operation, as did NY's governor. "Yet again, the federal government selects heavy-handed tactics that create fear, not safety. It has to end," a political candidate declared. The city's immigrant rights groups voiced concern too. "Immigration agents targeted the neighborhood with tactical trucks, covered personnel and tactical gear to target small merchants working to survive. This action had nothing to do with community security and was entirely about frightening communities and areas," remarked the leader of a rights organization. ICE Policies Official guidelines prohibits the arrest of American nationals and the organization has claimed it refrains from arrest or detain US citizens. However, external research has revealed that numerous American nationals have been taken illegally by ICE since the beginning of the present government. Ongoing Trend ICE raids have been cropping up increasingly in New York and around the country this year. A mid-October raid in midtown Manhattan was the initial documented operation on an refuge facility of the present government. Rallies targeting immigration enforcement are ubiquitous including accusations of aggression and abusive practices. Latest, a document submitted by legal entities alleged healthcare failures of women with child in government custody.