Think Out Loud Investigation reveals impact of federal immigration raids on agriculture workers in Oregon and other states
Feb 19, 2026
Sky Chadde, senior reporter at Investigate Midwest who covers immigration enforcement and agricultural labor, discusses raids on farmworkers across states. He describes an August van stop and chaotic transfers, legal access hurdles, and how civil immigration actions are framed like criminal sweeps. He also covers the ripple effects on family farms and meatpacking operations struggling to replace workers.
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Early-Morning Stop Outside Woodburn
- A van with seven farmworkers was stopped near Woodburn and ICE broke the driver's window before detaining passengers.
- Court records show officers didn't allege speeding or other clear traffic violations when they pulled the van over.
Asylum Seeker's Chaotic Detention Journey
- LJPL, an asylum seeker from Guatemala, was told he'd be released if he had no criminal record but was kept in custody anyway.
- He was flown toward deportation, rerouted due to a clerical A-number issue, and returned to a Texas detention center.
Insist On Counsel At Asylum Interviews
- Lawyers filed a habeas corpus petition and sought a reasonable fear interview to protect the asylum process.
- Ensure counsel attends critical interviews because missing representation can pressure detainees to decline asylum steps.