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New York state attorney general has introduced a recent online portal encouraging locals to share photos and videos of immigration raids throughout the state. This action follows a day after a significant immigration operation disrupted NYC's Chinatown, sparking mass protests.

American Citizens Arrested During Raid

A lawmaker revealed during a Wednesday press conference that four American citizens were arrested and kept for "about 24 hours" after Tuesday's raid. Demonstrations broke out in NYC on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

"Every New Yorker has the right to live without fear," the attorney general wrote in a release.

"Anyone who observed and documented ICE activity yesterday, I encourage you to provide that evidence with the authorities. We are pledged to assessing these reports and evaluating any violations of law."

Portal Features

The platform provides options to upload images and video footage of the raid, as well as a area to specify geographic details. When submitting, submitters must tick a checkbox that acknowledges that "the attorney general may use any evidence provided in a legal proceeding, including in a court case or public report."

Details of the Chinatown Raid

The Chinatown raid, which witnesses say featured more than 50 federal agents, took place in a famous area of Manhattan where counterfeit products and merchandise are commonly traded widely – typically to visitors.

Footage of the operation reveal numerous masked and armed federal agents zip-tying and detaining a person, and forcing aside bystanders. Masses of New Yorkers followed the personnel along the roads. An armored military vehicle was noticed rolling through the city streets.

Official Reactions

During a midweek briefing organized with the rights organization, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democratic representative, said that four nationals were arrested by immigration for almost a full day and that there were "no situations where four American citizens should be detained for no reason." He noted the citizens were freed on the following day with no legal action taken.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," Goldman remarked. "This represents a military-style operation to provoke unrest. It is simply a excuse to incite violence for the government to deploy the troops to prevent unrest that they initiated."

Extensive Outcry

Fury over the immigration operation escalated – every NYC mayor hopefuls denounced the raid, including NY's governor.

"Repeatedly, the Trump administration selects authoritarian theatrics that create fear, rather than security. It needs to cease," one mayoral candidate wrote.

NYC community groups spoke out too.

"Immigration agents raided Manhattan's Chinatown with armored transports, masked agents and tactical gear to focus on street vendors attempting to earn income. This raid had nothing to do with public safety and everything to do with terrorizing immigrant families and areas," said the president of a advocacy group.

Agency Rules

Official guidelines prohibits the detention of US citizens and the bureau has claimed it does not take into custody US citizens. Nevertheless, independent reporting has discovered that numerous American nationals have been held against their will by immigration authorities during the period of the present government.

Current Situation

Enforcement actions have been rising in frequency in NY and nationwide this year.

A mid-October raid in the city center was the first known raid on an immigrant shelter of the current administration. Protests against immigration enforcement are ubiquitous as are allegations of force and inhumane treatment.

Recently, a document provided by civil rights groups claimed healthcare failures of women with child in detention centers.