Oregon Public Broadcasting

Immigrant rights and church groups have condemned a raid on a manufacturing plant in Bellingham Tuesday that resulted in the arrest of more than two dozen foreign workers.

Federal officials say they’ll look into the matter. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents raided Yamoto Engine Specialists in Bellingham, arresting 28 employees for violations of immigration law.

At a press conference in Seattle, Pramila Jayapal -- with the immigrant rights group One America -- said such raids terrorize immigrant communities.

Most of those arrested are being detained at a federal facility in Tacoma and face deportation.

One America and other advocates are calling on the Obama Administration to freeze immigration enforcement while immigration laws are overhauled.

This was the first major workplace raid since President Obama took office last month.

As a candidate, Obama said he supported comprehensive immigration reform.

New Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has ordered a review of the Bellingham raid.