New York state attorney general has rolled out a new online portal asking residents to provide visual evidence of ICE operations around New York. This action comes just a shortly after a high-profile enforcement action shook Chinatown in Manhattan, triggering large-scale demonstrations.
American Citizens Held During ICE Operation
A lawmaker announced during a Wednesday press conference that four US citizens were detained and kept for "almost a full day" following Tuesday's raid. Demonstrations occurred in NYC on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
"All New York residents has the right to exist without intimidation," the attorney general wrote in a announcement.
"If you witnessed and recorded immigration enforcement recently, I ask you to submit that material with my office. We are pledged to reviewing these submissions and evaluating any legal breaches."
Portal Features
The form offers fields to send images and video footage of the raid, along with a area to specify where it occurred. When submitting, individuals must mark a box that confirms that "the attorney general may use any documents, photographs, or videos in a public document, such as in a court case or public report."
Details of the ICE Action
The enforcement action, which observers say featured more than 50 government officers, occurred in a well-known district of Manhattan where imitation purses, items, goods and merchandise are sold daily widely – often to visitors.
Recordings of Tuesday's raid reveal several covered and weaponized officers securing and holding a individual, and forcing aside bystanders. Throngs of New Yorkers followed the agents along the roads. An military-style transport was observed rolling through the Manhattan avenues.
Leadership Statements
During a news conference held with the New York immigrant rights coalition, Representative Goldman, a Democratic representative, said that four nationals were taken by federal agents for nearly 24 hours and that there were "no circumstances where four American citizens should be arrested for no reason." He noted the individuals were let go on Wednesday with no accusations made.
"The goal is evident here. It is not to take criminals off the street," he stated. "This constitutes a armed campaign to incite tension. It is purely a excuse to provoke conflict for the government to deploy the armed forces to halt conflict that they themselves caused."
Broad Criticism
Fury over the federal action rapidly grew – every political contenders condemned the raid, as did NY's governor.
"Repeatedly, the current administration selects oppressive displays that generate terror, not safety. It must stop," one mayoral candidate stated.
New York City advocacy organizations voiced concern too.
"Immigration agents targeted Chinatown in NYC with military-style vehicles, hooded officers and riot gear to go after local sellers attempting to earn income. This raid had no relation to community security and focused completely on terrorizing immigrant families and areas," stated the president of a major immigrant coalition.
Agency Rules
ICE policy bans the arrest of American nationals and the organization has said it does not take into custody US citizens. However, investigative journalism has discovered that numerous US citizens have been detained unlawfully by immigration authorities since the beginning of the present government.
Recent Pattern
ICE raids have been rising in frequency in NY and across the US this year.
A mid-October raid in midtown Manhattan was the initial documented operation on an immigrant shelter of the present government. Protests against ICE are ubiquitous as are allegations of aggression and inhumane treatment.
Recently, a letter provided by advocacy organizations alleged healthcare failures of women with child in detention centers.
