New York Attorney General Letitia James is asking the public for videos of ICE activity in New York, a day after masked federal agents arrested people in downtown Manhattan.
The arrests, which appeared to target an area known for street vendors in Chinatown, drew immediate protests from New Yorkers. At least two people who were briefly detained and then released told NBC New York that they were U.S. citizens.
“Every New Yorker has the right to live without fear or intimidation,” James said in a press release on Wednesday, linking to a portal to submit reports of federal law enforcement activity.
“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. No one should be subject to unlawful questioning, detention, or intimidation.”
Responding to the release, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in her own statement, “This sure looks like obstruction of justice.”
