Oregon Public Broadcasting

Abdias Cortez

Two years ago, agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement raided the Del Monte Fresh Produce plant in Portland.

More than 160 people were arrested. 

Since then, many of the workers have been deported, others left the country by different means.

But between 15 and 20 women rounded up that day are still here, living in a kind of legal limbo.

Abdias Cortez is one of them. 

She’s originally from Acapulco, Mexico, and doesn’t speak English. 

I spoke with her recently about that day, and she vividly remembers the fear she and her coworkers felt when the agents arrived.