By Hank Russell
A day after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted a raid on Canal Street in Chinatown, Attorney General Letitia James announced that her office has created a portal for New Yorkers to upload photos and videos of ICE agents in their communities, much to the anger of federal authorities.
On October 22, ICE agents arrested nine illegal immigrants in the Chinatown raid. According to NewsNation, those who were arrested — citing the Department of Homeland Security — were from West Africa and had “violent rap sheets” for robbery, burglary, domestic violence, possession of drugs and assaulting law enforcement.
“NEW YORK’S CANAL STREET IS SAFER: 9 illegal aliens arrested have violent rap sheets including robbery, burglary, domestic violence, assaulting law enforcement, counterfeiting, drug trafficking, drug possession, and forgery,” DHS posted on X. “Under President Trump and @Sec_Noem, criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S.”
In response, James encouraged those in the state to submit videos or other documentation of ICE’s presence. “Every New Yorker has the right to live without fear or intimidation,” James said. “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.”
Although she cannot offer legal advice or represent complainants in court, James advised those who are in ICE custody to contact an attorney.
“We are committed to reviewing these reports and assessing any violations of law,” James said.
Long Island Life & Politics reached out to James’ office for more information about the portal, but was referred to the press release.
James is not the only elected official to do this. U.S. Representatives Robert Garcia (D-California) and Richard Blumenthal announced that the House Oversight Committee will launch an ICE tracker on the committee’s website. This angered U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.
“Shutdown Democrats are already refusing to pay our law enforcement agents. Now, @RepRobertGarcia and @SenBlumenthal are trying to put ICE agents at risk just for doing their jobs,” Bondi posted on X. “@TheJusticeDept has ZERO tolerance for violence against law enforcement — we will prosecute any person who physically assaults our agents.”
LILP reached out to ICE and was referred to the DHS. “This sure looks like obstruction of justice,” DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. “Our brave ICE law enforcement face[d] a 1,000% increase in assaults against them. If you obstruct or assault our law enforcement, we will hunt you down and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”