Story highlights Democratic presidential candidates criticize planned raids of Central American immigrants who fled violence in their countries

Sanders says in a statement he is "disappointed"

Washington (CNN) Bernie Sanders and Martin O'Malley on Thursday blasted a report that said the Department of Homeland Security is planning raids that would target for deportation families of undocumented immigrants from Central American countries.

The Washington Post reported late Wednesday that the nationwide raids will focus on hundreds of families that have entered the United States since early last year. The plan is the first large-scale effort to deport families that have fled violence in Central America, the Post reported.

Sanders said in a statement he was "disappointed" by the plan.

"As we spend time with our families this holiday season, we who are parents should ask ourselves what we would do if our children faced the danger and violence these children do? How far would we go to protect them?" he said. "We need to take steps to protect children and families seeking refuge here, not cast them out."

O'Malley, who is running well behind Sanders and Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton, said the plan is "completely at odds with our character as a nation."

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