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New York state AG has introduced a new digital platform asking residents to share photos and videos of federal immigration enforcement throughout the state. This move comes just a day after a high-profile immigration operation shook Chinatown in Manhattan, sparking large-scale outcry.

American Citizens Held In ICE Operation

A lawmaker announced during a Wednesday press conference that four citizens were arrested and held for "almost a full day" after the previous day's operation. Rallies erupted in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"All New York residents deserves to exist without intimidation," state officials declared in a release.

"Anyone who observed and recorded ICE activity during the raid, I ask you to submit that footage with us. We are dedicated to reviewing these submissions and determining any violations of law."

Form Details

The platform provides spaces to upload visual evidence of the operation, as well as a area to note where it occurred. Before submitting, users must mark a box that acknowledges that "the office could utilize any materials, images, or footage in a official report, including in a legal proceeding or public report."

Details of the Manhattan Operation

The Manhattan operation, which witnesses say featured more than 50 government officers, happened in a popular area of the city where counterfeit purses, items, goods and merchandise are regularly available en masse – frequently to sightseers.

Recordings of the operation reveal multiple hooded and equipped personnel securing and holding a person, and forcing aside witnesses. Masses of residents pursued the agents through the streets. An armored military vehicle was also seen moving along the urban roads.

Political Response

During a Wednesday press conference organized with the rights organization, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democratic representative, announced that four US citizens were arrested by immigration for about 24 hours and that there were "no circumstances where four American citizens should be arrested for unjustly." He noted the persons were released on Wednesday with no charges filed.

"The intent is obvious here. It is not to take criminals off the street," he said. "This is a military-style operation to incite tension. It is merely a excuse to generate turmoil for federal officials to utilize the troops to prevent unrest that they themselves caused."

Broad Criticism

Anger over the federal action quickly spread – each of the mayoral candidates criticized the raid, including NY's governor.

"Yet again, the Trump administration chooses authoritarian theatrics that create fear, rather than security. It has to end," a political candidate declared.

New York City advocacy organizations expressed outrage too.

"Immigration agents targeted Manhattan's Chinatown with military-style vehicles, covered personnel and tactical gear to focus on small merchants attempting to earn income. This raid had no relation to public safety and was entirely about frightening communities and communities," stated the head of a rights organization.

Official Guidelines

Official guidelines bans the holding of citizens and the bureau has stated it refrains from take into custody American nationals. However, independent reporting has revealed that over 170 US citizens have been detained unlawfully by ICE during the period of the current administration.

Recent Pattern

ICE raids have been cropping up increasingly in NY and nationwide recently.

An October operation in the city center was the initial documented operation on an housing center of the existing leadership. Rallies opposing federal operations are commonplace as are accusations of aggression and abusive practices.

Latest, a submission provided by advocacy organizations stated healthcare failures of women with child in government custody.