Newberg vineyard workers arrested in targeted ICE raids: Salinas

Yahoo

13-06-2025

PORTLAND, Ore. () — Two vineyard workers were targeted in arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs officers in Newberg on Thursday, the office of U.S. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas confirmed to KOIN 6 News.
In a statement, Salinas confirmed the arrests of the vineyard workers.
'There were two targeted ICE arrests of vineyard workers in Newberg. As a part of my Congressional duty, I am meeting with ICE to ensure they maintain the right to due process for all detained individuals. I have also spoken at length with Latino leaders in the community to ensure individuals know their rights and how I can support them,' Salinas, a Democrat representing Oregon's 6th Congressional District, said.
Portland police respond to protests outside ICE facility
Authorities have not released the names of those arrested, nor have they immediately released further details about the arrests.
However, KOIN 6 News spoke with family members of a person who they said is one of the people who was arrested.
The family told KOIN 6 that Moises Sotelo was detained by ICE after his daughter, Alondra Sotelo Garcia, tracked his phone to the ICE detention center in Portland after he'd gone missing.
Moises is a fixture in Oregon wine country, his daughter said. He had spent two decades working there, earning awards along the way, before launching his own business earlier this year. The business was aimed at helping wineries manage their grape crops.
'He's a good man, taxpayer, hard working man, proud of what he does, granpa, dad, uncle,' Alondra said.
On Thursday morning, Moises vanished, Alondra said. His truck was left misparked on the street he drives every day in Newberg. She knew instantly, ICE had taken him, before her fears were confirmed by tracking his phone.
'Whispers here and there of possible spotting but when it happens to you, it's a whole different feeling, ordeal, you enter into panic,' Alondra said.
After seeing that his phone location was listed as being in Portland, she rushed to the ICE facility there to see him.
'I just saw my dad chained at his feet, you know, with a big old smile, still trying to keep his head up for me, more than anybody in that moment,' Alondra said.
Outside the Portland facility, where protesters have been gathered for days, a sign now hangs, reading, 'Free Moises.'
Alondra declined to discuss her father's immigration status. But the process is often long, complicated and costly.
Still tracking her dad's phone, Alondra heard a ping, mid-interview, notifying her that he was being moved. She traced his path as he moved north on I-5, toward Tacoma, Washington.
'This is news to me,' she said.
Alondra said the entire ordeal represents a call to stay ready and aware.
'Just for being brown, even if you're a citizen, you're still at risk,' she said.
The arrests come amid growing protests across the nation, , over federal immigration enforcement raids around the country.
KOIN 6 News has reached out to ICE for more information. We will update this story if they respond.
The Yamhill County Sheriff's Office shared the following statement with KOIN 6 News after our request for comment:
'I cannot confirm anything definitively, as I have not seen anything myself, and I have not had any direct communication from any federal entities. I have had several reports of ICE enforcement action in Yamhill County today and have received two inquiries in prior days from media outlets asking me to confirm if I have any information. I have received some information today third hand which I would deem to be credible information, which suggests that there has been some level of enforcement activity at least today in Yamhill County.'
–Yamhill County Sheriff Sam Elliot
The Newberg-Dundee School District shared the following letter with KOIN 6 News that they shared with community members:
Dear Newberg Dundee Community,We were made aware of ICE activity in our community over the night and throughout today. Our leadership team worked closely with school principals to ensure a safe and secure last day of school. At this time, we have not had any disruptions to our schools or offices, and we ended our last day of school safely. As a reminder of how Newberg Dundee schools will respond in these cases, we want to reiterate our January 27 communication:Here is what you need to know:Student Records and Privacy Protections:Our actions are guided by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). FERPA strictly prohibits the release of student records or personally identifiable information without prior parental consent, except in very limited circumstances (such as cases involving child abuse). This applies to all requests, whether from federal, state, or local authorities.Requests for Access to Students:If any official, including federal authorities, arrives at a school requesting information or access to a student, they will be referred to the district office. This ensures a consistent and legally compliant response to every request.Legal Requirements for Information Disclosure:The only circumstances under which we would release student information are:
When presented with a valid judicial subpoena or court order.
When disclosure falls under the board-approved Directory Information policy (JOA), what may be shared is highly limited.
Administrative Training and Compliance:We have met with all school administrators to review and reinforce these policies. Every principal understands their responsibility to safeguard student information and ensure compliance with federal and state laws.
Our commitment is clear: Every student in our district has the right to a safe and supportive learning environment free from fear or unnecessary intrusion.Sincerely,Dave ParkerSuperintendentNewberg Dundee School District
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