In what is being called the largest-ever raid on undocumented workers, 1,187 people were taken from their workplaces and arrested yesterday by the Department of “Homeland Security” and local police. While the story is still unfolding, it appears that 275 workers have already been deported to Mexico, while the rest are being processed. The raids occurred in 26 states, including California, where workers in both Riverside and Fresno were rounded up. All the workers are said to be employed by IFCO Systems North America - an international corporation that builds wood pallets for shipping. 7 company managers are also facing immigration-related charges.

In Chicago, workers’ families and their supporters held a protest last night at one of the many detention centers where the workers are currently locked up (read more from Chicago IMC). They called for a moritorium on all deportations until Congress makes a final decision on immigration reform.

Activists insist that this latest assault on immigrants is an attempt to intimidate and repress the growing movement that has seen millions in the streets of communities across the country. Meanwhile, families remain concerned about the status of their loved ones, many of which have lived and worked in the United States for decades, own homes, and have little children.