New York state attorney general has launched a fresh reporting form urging locals to provide images and footage of federal immigration enforcement around New York. This move follows a shortly after a significant enforcement action disrupted Manhattan's Chinatown, sparking widespread demonstrations.
A US congressman disclosed during a news conference that four citizens were taken into custody and detained for "almost a full day" following the previous day's operation. Protests broke out in New York on both Tuesday and Wednesday.
"Every New Yorker is entitled to live without fear," the AG wrote in a announcement.
"If you witnessed and documented ICE activity yesterday, I encourage you to provide that material with us. We are pledged to examining these reports and determining any wrongdoings."
The portal provides options to upload images and video footage of the incident, as well as a section to specify where it occurred. Before submitting, submitters must check a box that acknowledges that "the attorney general could utilize any documents, photographs, or videos in a public document, including in a legal proceeding or official statement."
The Manhattan operation, which witnesses say included more than 50 ICE personnel, took place in a popular district of the city where imitation products and other goods are sold daily en masse – typically to tourists.
Recordings of the incident reveal multiple masked and armed personnel zip-tying and detaining a person, and shoving away onlookers. Masses of locals followed the agents through the streets. An military-style transport was noticed rolling through the urban roads.
In a news conference organized with the New York immigrant rights coalition, congressman Dan Goldman, a lawmaker, said that four US citizens were arrested by immigration for about 24 hours and that there were "no circumstances where US citizens should be detained for without cause." He noted the individuals were released on the following day with no accusations made.
"The goal is evident here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," the congressman said. "This represents a militarized effort to incite tension. It is simply a pretext to incite violence for federal officials to bring in the military to halt conflict that they initiated."
Anger over the ICE raid escalated – each of the mayoral candidates criticized the operation, along with NY's governor.
"Once again, the federal government chooses oppressive displays that instill panic, not safety. It must stop," a political candidate declared.
New York City community groups spoke out as well.
"Federal officers descended on the neighborhood with armored transports, covered personnel and protective equipment to go after local sellers working to survive. This action had no connection to community security and was entirely about intimidating residents and neighborhoods," said the leader of a advocacy group.
Agency rules forbids the detention of US citizens and the agency has stated it refrains from take into custody citizens. However, investigative journalism has found that more than 170 American nationals have been taken illegally by immigration authorities during the period of the current administration.
Immigration operations have been rising in frequency in New York and across the US lately.
An October operation in central NYC was the first known raid on an housing center of the current administration. Protests against immigration enforcement are widespread along with accusations of aggression and cruel conditions.
Most recently, a submission provided by civil rights groups alleged healthcare failures of pregnant women in ICE facilities.
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