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New York state attorney general has rolled out a new digital platform urging locals to submit images and footage of immigration raids around New York. This step follows a day after a significant immigration operation shook NYC's Chinatown, sparking mass outcry.

American Citizens Arrested During Raid

A congressional representative announced during a news conference that four US citizens were taken into custody and detained for "nearly 24 hours" after the enforcement action. Demonstrations erupted in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"All New York residents is entitled to live without fear," the attorney general stated in a announcement.

"Anyone who observed and documented immigration enforcement during the raid, I encourage you to submit that material with us. We are dedicated to reviewing these accounts and investigating any violations of law."

Portal Features

The portal offers spaces to submit visual evidence of the incident, along with a area to note geographic details. Prior to sending, users must check a checkbox that states that "the office might employ any documents, photographs, or videos in a public document, such as in a legal proceeding or public report."

Information about the Chinatown Raid

The Manhattan operation, which onlookers say involved more than 50 government officers, occurred in a popular area of NYC where counterfeit purses, items, goods and other goods are commonly traded in large quantities – typically to tourists.

Footage of the operation show numerous masked and armed federal agents zip-tying and detaining a man, and pushing back bystanders. Masses of residents trailed the agents down the sidewalks. An armored military vehicle was noticed rolling through the Manhattan avenues.

Political Response

At a news conference held with the rights organization, Representative Goldman, a Democrat, announced that four US citizens were arrested by immigration for about 24 hours and that there were "no conditions where US citizens should be taken for unjustly." He said the citizens were released on the following day with no legal action taken.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not about removing offenders," he remarked. "This is a militarized effort to incite tension. It is purely a pretext to generate turmoil for this administration to deploy the troops to prevent conflict that they initiated."

Broad Criticism

Outrage over the ICE raid escalated – each of the mayoral candidates criticized the incident, along with the state leader.

"Repeatedly, the federal government opts for authoritarian theatrics that create fear, not safety. It must stop," one mayoral candidate stated.

The city's advocacy organizations voiced concern as well.

"Immigration agents targeted Manhattan's Chinatown with armored transports, covered personnel and tactical gear to go after street vendors working to survive. This action had no relation to public safety and was entirely about frightening communities and communities," remarked the president of a rights organization.

Agency Rules

ICE policy prohibits the detention of US citizens and the organization has stated it will not take into custody citizens. However, investigative journalism has revealed that numerous US citizens have been held against their will by immigration authorities since the beginning of the current administration.

Recent Pattern

Immigration operations have been rising in frequency in NY and across the US recently.

A mid-October raid in central NYC was the first known raid on an housing center of the present government. Protests against ICE are ubiquitous including claims of aggression and cruel conditions.

Latest, a submission filed by legal entities stated inadequate care of expectant mothers in government custody.