New York Attorney General Letitia James has created a new “Federal Action Reporting Portal.” This move follows public outcry after a recent raid by the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency in Manhattan’s Chinatown. The portal further invites concerned New Yorkers to submit photos and videos of any federal immigration enforcement activity taking place throughout the state. This initiative opened only one day after a controversial ICE raid. It sparked intense public protests and backlash from immigrant rights advocates.
On October 16, ICE agents raided the heart of a tech hub filled with street vendors and counterfeit Jordans. Instead they were rolled out with military-style vehicles and riot gear, prepared for battle. More than 50 federal agents were involved in the sweep, which netted 52 arrests. In response, critics have decried it as an intimidation tactic, rather than a real move towards public safety.
Murad Awawdeh, executive director of the New York Immigrant Coalition, denounced this week’s raid. He claimed that it was intended to terrify immigrants and their children. He stated, “ICE descended on Manhattan’s Chinatown with military-style vehicles, masked agents and riot gear to target 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.”
In the aftermath of these developments, James underscored the significance of having the community involved in documenting ICE operations. She urged those who witnessed the raid to contribute to the portal, stating, “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 assessing any violations of law.”
The portal’s creation is the latest step that James has taken to defend the civil rights of all New Yorkers. She reiterated, “Every New Yorker has the right to live without fear or intimidation.” The portal gives people a place to directly report incidents with the goal of bringing transparency and accountability to federal immigration enforcement.
amNewYork Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, shown here, expressed outrage over the raids by the Trump administration. He remarked on X, “Once again, the Trump administration chooses authoritarian theatrics that create fear, not safety. It must stop.”
Immigrant rights advocates in New York City have mobilized against these raids. They continue to call for an end to these harmful practices where what they describe as aggressive tactics have disproportionately targeted vulnerable populations. The backlash against the Chinatown raid emphasizes the growing tension between federal enforcement agencies and local communities advocating for immigrant rights.