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New York state attorney general has introduced a fresh reporting form asking residents to provide visual evidence of federal immigration enforcement around the state. This action follows a shortly after a high-profile immigration operation rattled Chinatown in Manhattan, prompting mass protests.

American Citizens Arrested In Enforcement Action

A lawmaker revealed during a midweek briefing that four citizens were detained and detained for "about 24 hours" after the enforcement action. Demonstrations broke out in NYC on consecutive evenings.

"Each citizen has the right to live without fear," state officials wrote in a release.

"If you witnessed and recorded immigration enforcement recently, I urge you to submit that material with the authorities. We are dedicated to assessing these submissions and investigating any legal breaches."

Submission Process

The form offers options to submit visual evidence of the raid, plus a section to indicate location information. When submitting, users must check a box that states that "the attorney general might employ any documents, photographs, or videos in a public document, including in a legal proceeding or government document."

Details of the Chinatown Raid

The Chinatown raid, which observers say involved dozens of federal agents, took place in a popular neighborhood of Manhattan where counterfeit handbags, accessories, jewelry and additional items are regularly available widely – typically to visitors.

Footage of Tuesday's raid reveal several hooded and equipped personnel securing and holding a man, and forcing aside witnesses. Masses of locals trailed the personnel down the sidewalks. An military-style transport was also seen rolling through the city streets.

Political Response

At a midweek briefing featuring the New York immigrant rights coalition, Representative Goldman, a lawmaker, stated that four US citizens were detained by ICE for about 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where four American citizens should be arrested for no reason." He noted the persons were freed on the following day with no accusations made.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not to take criminals off the street," Goldman stated. "This represents a militarized effort to provoke unrest. It is merely a pretext to generate turmoil for federal officials to bring in the troops to stop violence that they have created."

Broad Criticism

Fury over the federal action escalated – all three NYC mayor hopefuls denounced the incident, as did the state leader.

"Repeatedly, the current administration chooses authoritarian theatrics that create fear, rather than security. It has to end," one mayoral candidate declared.

New York City advocacy organizations expressed outrage as well.

"Immigration agents descended on the neighborhood with tactical trucks, masked agents and protective equipment to focus on small merchants attempting to earn income. This raid had no connection to citizen protection and was entirely about intimidating residents and areas," stated the head of a major immigrant coalition.

Agency Rules

ICE policy prohibits the holding of citizens and the organization has said it does not arrest or detain American nationals. Yet, independent reporting has found that more than 170 citizens have been taken illegally by ICE during the period of the current administration.

Ongoing Trend

ICE raids have been cropping up increasingly in the state and across the US lately.

A mid-October raid in the city center was the initial documented operation on an housing center of the current administration. Protests opposing immigration enforcement are commonplace including accusations of force and cruel conditions.

Recently, a document filed by advocacy organizations claimed healthcare failures of expectant mothers in detention centers.