New York unveils portal for public to share ICE footage after arrest of four US citizens | New York
New York State Attorney General Letitia James announced:Federal Employment Reporting PortalThe form urges New Yorkers to share photos and videos of federal immigration enforcement actions across the state, just one day after a high-profile ICE raid rocked Manhattan’s Chinatown and prompted hundreds to turn out in protest.
A US Congressman revealed in a press conference on Wednesday that four US citizens were arrested and detained “for approximately 24 hours” following Tuesday’s raid. Protests broke out in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday evening.
“All New Yorkers have the right to live without fear or intimidation,” James wrote in a statement announcing the portal.
“If you witnessed and documented ICE activity yesterday, I urge you to share that footage with my office. We are committed to reviewing these reports and evaluating any violations of the law.”
The form provides spaces to submit photos and video footage of the raid, as well as a place to indicate location information. Before submitting, users must check the box that says “The Attorney General may use any documents, photographs, or videos you submit in a public document, including in a legal proceeding, report, or public statement.”
The Guardian has contacted James’ office for further information.
The Chinatown raid, which onlookers say involved more than 50 federal agents, took place in a well-known area of Manhattan where handbags, accessories, jewelry and other counterfeit goods are sold en masse daily — often to tourists.
Videos of Tuesday’s raid appear Several masked and armed federal agents tie up a man, detain him, and push onlookers away. Crowds of New Yorkers followed the agents through the streets and onto sidewalks. An armored military vehicle was also seen roaming the city streets. ICE issued a press release detailing the alleged criminal records of some detained immigrants.
At a news conference Wednesday with the New York Immigrant Rights Coalition, Congressman Dan Goldman, a Democrat, said that four U.S. citizens were detained by ICE for about 24 hours, and that “there are no circumstances under which four U.S. citizens should be detained without cause.” He said that the citizens were released on Wednesday without any charges being brought against them.
“There’s a clear goal here,” Goldman said. “It’s not to get criminals off the streets and deport them.” He added, “This is a military effort to create tension. It is just a pretext to incite violence so that this administration will bring in the army to stop the violence it has created.”
Outrage over the ICE raid quickly spread — with all three mayoral candidates condemning the raid, as did Gov. Kathy Hochul.
“Once again, the Trump administration is choosing authoritarian theatrics that create fear, not safety. It must stop,” said mayoral candidate Zahran Mamdani. Written on X.
Immigrant rights groups in New York City also spoke out.
“Immigration and Customs Enforcement descended on Manhattan’s Chinatown with military vehicles, masked agents and riot gear to target street vendors trying to make a living,” said Murad Awawda, president of the New York Immigrant Coalition. “This operation had nothing to do with public safety, and everything to do with terrorizing immigrant families and communities.”
ICE policy prohibits Detention of American citizens The agency said it does not Arrest or detention of US citizens. However, a report by ProPublica Found that more than 170 US citizens They have been detained against their will by ICE since the beginning of the second Trump administration.
ICE raids have been increasingly visible in New York and across the country this year.
A October 16 raid In midtown Manhattan was the first known raid on a migrant shelter belonging to the current Trump administration. Protests against ICE are everywhere, as are allegations of violence and inhumane treatment.
More recently, a letter filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and other civil rights groups alleged medical neglect of pregnant women in ICE facilities.