PORTLAND, Ore. - Mayor Tom Potter on Wednesday defended his criticism of immigration officials following Tuesday's arrest of 167 suspected illegal immigrants at the Fresh Del Monte produce plant in north Portland.

"For me, this is about a roundup of Portland residents, and I am very concerned about their welfare, about pulling families apart," Potter said Wednesday.

A day earlier, he released a statement saying he was angered by the raids.

"“I certainly understand why federal officials executed criminal warrants against three individuals who stole and sold Social Security numbers. But to go after local workers who are here to support their families while filling the demands of local businesses for their labor is bad policy. It also serves as a reminder of the failure of our national leaders to deliver an immigration policy that is both fair and humane to families and acknowledges the economic realities of our country."

Officials with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE), which conducted the raid, said single parents and people with serious illnesses were released and will have their day in court before a federal immigration judge.

In all 32 people were released. As far as the mayor's comments, an ICE official said the agents were just doing their jobs.

"We certainly respect what the mayor's thoughts and feelings are on this," said Marc Raimondi, an ICE spokesman. "As a former law enforcement person, he knows that we don't get to pick and choose which laws we enforce ... The law is the law. Our job is not to debate it. Our job is to enforce it."

The 135 people detained in Tuesday's raid were processed at a facility in Tukwila, Wash., and were being held in a federal detention center in Tacoma, Wash.

As for Potter, he also said this is a national issue that needs to be solved in Congress. He said he believes the immigration bill needs to provide a pathway to citizenship.

ICE spokesman Raimondi said he agrees reforms are needed. But in the meantime, agents will enforce current laws.