The state AG has rolled out a fresh reporting form urging citizens to provide images and footage of immigration raids across the state. This step comes just a shortly after a significant immigration operation shook Chinatown in Manhattan, prompting mass demonstrations.
A congressional representative disclosed during a midweek briefing that four American citizens were detained and held for "about 24 hours" following the previous day's operation. Protests broke out in the city on consecutive evenings.
"All New York residents has the right to reside free from terror," state officials declared in a announcement.
"If you witnessed and captured immigration enforcement during the raid, I urge you to provide that footage with us. We are dedicated to examining these accounts and evaluating any violations of law."
The form offers fields to send images and video footage of the operation, plus a field to note location information. When submitting, users must check a box that confirms that "the office may use any evidence provided in a public document, including in a legal proceeding or official statement."
The Manhattan operation, which onlookers say featured more than 50 government officers, happened in a famous area of the city where imitation handbags, accessories, jewelry and other goods are commonly traded widely – often to visitors.
Footage of Tuesday's raid reveal several hooded and equipped federal agents restraining and arresting a person, and pushing back bystanders. Throngs of residents trailed the personnel along the roads. An military-style transport was observed moving along the Manhattan avenues.
In a Wednesday press conference held with the rights organization, the congressman, a lawmaker, announced that four US citizens were taken by federal agents for almost a full day and that there were "no circumstances where four American citizens should be detained for no reason." He said the citizens were freed on Wednesday with no legal action taken.
"There's a clear purpose here. It is not about removing offenders," the congressman stated. "This represents a military-style operation to provoke unrest. It is merely a excuse to incite violence for federal officials to deploy the troops to halt conflict that they have created."
Outrage over the immigration operation escalated – every mayoral candidates criticized the operation, including NY's governor.
"Once again, the federal government selects heavy-handed tactics that generate terror, not safety. It must stop," a political candidate declared.
New York City immigrant rights groups expressed outrage too.
"Immigration agents descended on Manhattan's Chinatown with armored transports, masked agents and protective equipment to go after street vendors trying to make a living. This operation had nothing to do with citizen protection and was entirely about intimidating residents and areas," said the president of a major immigrant coalition.
ICE policy forbids the detention of US citizens and the organization has stated it will not take into custody citizens. Nevertheless, external research has found that over 170 US citizens have been detained unlawfully by immigration authorities since the beginning of the present government.
Enforcement actions have been cropping up increasingly in NY and nationwide lately.
An October operation in the city center was the first known raid on an refuge facility of the existing leadership. Demonstrations opposing ICE are commonplace along with claims of violence and cruel conditions.
Latest, a letter filed by civil rights groups claimed medical neglect of women with child in ICE facilities.
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