PORTLAND, OR — June 19, 2025 — The arrest of Moises Sotelo, a highly respected vineyard manager in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has ignited a wave of outrage within the local wine industry and beyond. Sotelo, a beloved figure in the wine community, was detained on June 12 under circumstances that have raised significant concerns over the treatment of immigrant workers in agriculture and the broader impact of current immigration enforcement policies.
Sotelo, who has called Oregon home for decades, was awarded the Vineyard Excellence Award in 2020 for his dedication to viticulture. Known for his stewardship of the land and his leadership in the industry, Sotelo’s sudden arrest has sent shockwaves through the close-knit wine community that relies heavily on immigrant labor. His case has quickly become a flashpoint for debates about immigration policies and human rights within the agricultural sector.
The Arrest: A Controversial Turn of Events
The events surrounding Sotelo’s arrest have drawn widespread criticism, particularly for the lack of transparency and the apparent disregard for basic due process. According to reports, ICE agents surrounded Sotelo at his workplace on June 12, detaining him without providing any clear explanation to his family or legal representatives. The agents reportedly wore masks and refused to identify themselves or explain the legal grounds for the arrest, which has left many questioning the legality and ethics of the operation.
ICE claims that Sotelo entered the United States illegally in 2006 and has a prior DUI conviction. However, local authorities have found no such record of a DUI conviction in his name. The absence of any formal documentation has further fueled skepticism about the motives behind his arrest.
In a move that has alarmed both his family and supporters, Sotelo was transferred across state lines multiple times, from Oregon to California, and eventually to a detention facility in Arizona, without informing his loved ones of his whereabouts. This lack of communication only compounded the sense of injustice and fear that surrounded his detention.
Rising Concerns Over Immigration Policies and Agricultural Labor
Sotelo’s arrest has brought national attention to the precarious situation faced by immigrant workers in the agricultural sector. According to the American Immigration Council, approximately half of all farmworkers in the United States are undocumented, and many are employed in critical roles within the nation’s food production industries. The arrest of a figure as prominent as Sotelo highlights the vulnerability of countless other undocumented workers who play a vital role in the nation’s agricultural economy, yet live in constant fear of detention and deportation.
“The arrest of Moises Sotelo is a stark reminder of the inhumane treatment that immigrant workers often endure,” said Maria Garcia, a spokesperson for the Willamette Valley Immigrant Alliance. “The impact of this arrest reaches far beyond Moises and his family. It affects the entire agricultural community, which is already struggling with labor shortages and the challenges of maintaining a sustainable workforce.”
A Show of Support from the Wine Industry
In response to Sotelo’s arrest, the Oregon wine community has rallied in his support, raising over $100,000 for his legal defense and family’s well-being. Local wineries, vineyard owners, and workers have joined forces to highlight the vital role that immigrant labor plays in the success of Oregon’s wine industry, which is one of the most recognized in the United States.
“Moises has been an integral part of our community for years. His work in the vineyards and his leadership in the wine industry has been invaluable,” said Emily Richardson, a vineyard owner in the Willamette Valley. “We cannot allow this kind of treatment to go unnoticed. It sends a dangerous message about how immigrant workers are valued, and it’s a threat to our entire industry.”
National Attention and Calls for Change
Sotelo’s arrest has become a focal point for broader discussions about immigration policy, enforcement practices, and the treatment of immigrant workers across various sectors. Advocacy groups have seized on the case to call for comprehensive immigration reform, including greater protections for immigrant workers and more transparency in immigration enforcement procedures.
In Oregon, local leaders have expressed deep concern about the potential for such incidents to become more common, particularly as agriculture continues to depend heavily on undocumented labor. Many fear that if left unchecked, this pattern of enforcement could erode the trust between immigrant workers and the agricultural businesses that rely on their labor.
“There’s a fundamental issue at stake here: the sustainability of our industry and the human dignity of the people who help make it thrive,” said Oregon State Senator Juan Carlos Abreu. “We need clear answers about what happened in Moises’s case, and we need to ensure that this doesn’t become a widespread issue.”
The Road Ahead: An Ongoing Struggle for Immigrant Rights
While Sotelo’s legal team is working tirelessly to secure his release, the broader implications of this arrest continue to unfold. The case is shining a light on the often-overlooked struggles of immigrant workers in the agricultural sector and the need for a more humane approach to immigration enforcement.
For now, Sotelo remains detained in Arizona, with his supporters continuing to push for his release and the reinstatement of his rights. The Oregon wine industry’s response has been unequivocal: the treatment of Sotelo represents a crisis that must be addressed to ensure a sustainable and ethical future for both immigrant workers and the industry that depends on them.
As the case continues to develop, all eyes will be on the legal proceedings, with many hoping for a resolution that reflects the values of fairness, transparency, and respect for the contributions of immigrant workers across the nation.
