New York State Attorney General Letitia James issued a statement:Federal Action Reporting PortalForm calling on New Yorkers to share photos and videos of federal immigration enforcement activity across the state, just one day after high-profile ICE raid shook Manhattan's Chinatown and prompted hundreds of people to protest.
The US congressman told a news conference on Wednesday that four US citizens were arrested and held for “nearly 24 hours” after Tuesday's raid. Protests broke out in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.
“Every New Yorker has the right to live free from fear and intimidation,” James wrote in a statement announcing the portal.
“If you witnessed and documented ICE activity yesterday, I encourage you to share that footage with my office. We are committed to reviewing these reports and assessing any violations of the law.”
The form has spaces for submitting images and videos of the raid, as well as a space for entering location information. Before submitting, users must check a box that specifies that “the Attorney General may use any documents, photographs, or videos that I have submitted in a public document, including in a legal proceeding or a public report or statement.”
The Guardian has contacted James' office for more information.
The Chinatown raid, which observers said involved more than 50 federal agents, took place in a notorious area of Manhattan where counterfeit bags, accessories, jewelry and other goods are sold in droves every day, often to tourists.
Tuesday raid show video Several armed, masked federal agents zip up and detain the man and push back onlookers. Crowds of New Yorkers followed the agents along the streets and sidewalks. An armored military vehicle was also seen rolling through the city streets. ICE issued a press release detailing the alleged criminal records of some of the detained immigrants.
At a news conference Wednesday with the New York Immigrant Rights Coalition, Rep. Dan Goldman, a Democrat, said four American citizens were detained by ICE for nearly 24 hours and that “there are no circumstances under which four American citizens could be detained without cause.” According to him, the citizens were released on Wednesday without any charges being brought.
“There's a clear goal here. It's not to get criminals off the street and deport them,” Goldman said. “This is a paramilitary attempt to inflame tensions. This is just a pretext to incite violence so that the current administration will bring in the military to stop the violence they have created.”
Outrage over the ICE raid spread quickly—all three mayoral candidates condemned the raid, as did Gov. Kathy Hochul.
“The Trump administration is once again choosing authoritarian theater that creates fear rather than security. This must stop,” mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. wrote on X.
New York immigrant rights groups also spoke out.
“ICE descended on Manhattan's Chinatown with military-style vehicles, masked agents and riot gear to attack street vendors trying to make a living. This operation had nothing to do with public safety and everything to do with terrorizing immigrant families and communities,” said Murad Awaude, president of the New York Coalition. immigrants.
ICE policy prohibits detention of US citizens and the agency stated that this was not the case arrest or detain US citizens. However, according to ProPublica found that more than 170 US citizens have been detained by ICE against their will since the start of the second Trump administration.
ICE raids have become more frequent this year in New York and across the country.
A October 16 raid The first known raid on an immigrant shelter of the current Trump administration took place in midtown Manhattan. Protests against ICE is everywhere, as are allegations of abuse and inhumane treatment.
More recently, letter sent The ACLU and other civil rights groups have alleged neglect of medical care for pregnant women in ICE facilities.
