Fact Check: "ICE's arrest of vineyard manager Moises Sotelo shocks Oregon wine community."
What We Know
On June 12, 2025, Moises Sotelo, a well-known vineyard manager in Oregon's Willamette Valley, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) outside St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. This incident has reportedly sent shockwaves through the local wine community, where Sotelo is regarded as a respected figure. He has been recognized for his contributions to the industry, including receiving the Vineyard Excellence Award from the Oregon Wine Board in 2020 and establishing his own vineyard maintenance business in 2024 (The Guardian, KPTV).
Witness accounts describe a dramatic arrest, with Sotelo being surrounded by ICE agents and detained in chains (The Guardian). His family and community members have expressed feelings of disappointment and disgust, highlighting the emotional and social impact of his detention on the local community (The Guardian, KGW).
Analysis
The claim that Sotelo's arrest shocked the Oregon wine community is supported by multiple sources, including firsthand accounts from family and colleagues. The emotional response from the community, as articulated by vineyard owner Anthony Van Nice, underscores the broader implications of such arrests on immigrant labor in the agricultural sector. Van Nice stated, “We built this country on the backs of immigrant labor … To just round them up like criminals and throw them into these overcrowded detention centers, send them packing without telling their family or attorneys where they are or where they’re going, it’s inhumane” (The Guardian).
The context of increasing ICE raids in Oregon's agricultural sector, particularly under the Trump administration's policies, adds weight to the claim. Reports indicate that the focus on farm workers has intensified, leading to heightened fear within the Latino community (The Guardian, Seven Fifty). This trend is corroborated by local news reports, which detail similar incidents occurring in the area (KGW).
The sources used in this analysis are credible, with The Guardian being a well-established news outlet known for its investigative journalism. The emotional and social ramifications of Sotelo's arrest are further validated by the reactions from community members and local officials, indicating a significant impact on the local wine industry and immigrant community.
Conclusion
The claim that ICE's arrest of vineyard manager Moises Sotelo shocked the Oregon wine community is True. The widespread emotional response from his family, friends, and colleagues, combined with the context of increasing ICE activity in the agricultural sector, supports this assertion. The incident reflects broader issues regarding immigration enforcement and its impact on local communities, particularly in industries reliant on immigrant labor.
Sources
- Sea ice is melting. Why business leaders must pay attention
- Ice's 'inhumane' arrest of well-known vineyard manager ...
- Sea level rise is a global threat - World Economic Forum
- When ICE Raids Come to Wine Country
- 技嘉B650M主板详细介绍（M-ATX）|B650M电竞雕、小雕 ...
- ICE shares information on detaining well-known Oregon ...
- What happens if ice in Antarctica continues to melt ... - World ...
- ICE detains Oregon man outside church, sparks community ...
