NY Launches Portal for Public to Submit ICE Videos After Detentions of 4 American Citizens

New York state attorney general has introduced a new digital platform asking residents to share images and footage of federal immigration enforcement around the state. This action comes just a shortly after a significant enforcement action rattled Chinatown in Manhattan, sparking mass protests.

American Citizens Arrested In Enforcement Action

A congressional representative disclosed during a news conference that four citizens were taken into custody and kept for "almost a full day" following the enforcement action. Demonstrations broke out in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"Each citizen is entitled to live without fear," state officials wrote in a release.

"Anyone who observed and captured ICE activity during the raid, I urge you to submit that footage with my office. We are dedicated to assessing these reports and investigating any wrongdoings."

Form Details

The form includes spaces to send photos and videos of the incident, plus a field to specify geographic details. Before submitting, users must mark a checkbox that confirms that "the office may use any materials, images, or footage in a legal proceeding, such as in a court case or public report."

Information about the ICE Action

The Chinatown raid, which onlookers say involved dozens of federal agents, occurred in a famous district of the city where fake handbags, accessories, jewelry and other goods are sold daily widely – often to visitors.

Recordings of the incident show numerous masked and armed personnel zip-tying and detaining a man, and pushing back onlookers. Throngs of locals followed the agents down the sidewalks. An armored military vehicle was observed traveling down the urban roads.

Political Response

At a midweek briefing held with the rights organization, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democrat, announced that four nationals were arrested by immigration for about 24 hours and that there were "no situations where four American citizens should be detained for no reason." He clarified the persons were freed on Wednesday with no accusations made.

"There's a clear purpose here. It is not focused on deporting lawbreakers," Goldman remarked. "This is a armed campaign to create conflict. It is merely a excuse to generate turmoil for the government to deploy the armed forces to stop conflict that they themselves caused."

Broad Criticism

Fury over the ICE raid quickly spread – all three NYC mayor hopefuls criticized the operation, as did the state leader.

"Yet again, the current administration opts for authoritarian theatrics that generate terror, rather than security. It has to end," one mayoral candidate wrote.

New York City advocacy organizations expressed outrage as well.

"ICE descended on Chinatown in NYC with military-style vehicles, covered personnel and riot gear to focus on street vendors attempting to earn income. This raid had nothing to do with community security and focused completely on frightening communities and areas," remarked the president of a major immigrant coalition.

Agency Rules

ICE policy bans the detention of US citizens and the agency has stated it does not apprehend American nationals. Yet, investigative journalism has discovered that over 170 US citizens have been detained unlawfully by federal agents since the start of the current administration.

Current Situation

Enforcement actions have been cropping up increasingly in the state and across the US recently.

A mid-October raid in central NYC was the first known raid on an housing center of the current administration. Protests targeting ICE are commonplace including accusations of aggression and inhumane treatment.

Most recently, a document filed by civil rights groups claimed medical neglect of pregnant women in detention centers.