YAMHILL COUNTY, Ore. – Immigration enforcement actions are rattling Oregon’s farming community, with the Oregon Farm Bureau warning that recent arrests in agricultural regions are heightening fears of labor shortages and long-term disruption in the industry.
The warning follows the arrest of vineyard business owner Moises Sotelo Casas and one of his employees in Newberg last week. Sotelo Casas, a respected figure in Oregon’s wine industry and a well-known community member, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while on his way to work.
Related posts
This Article Includes
- 0.1 Related posts
- 0.2 Oregon Senate Approves Bill to Protect Beavers for Waterway Restoration
- 0.3 Oregon DHS Offers Free Emergency Kits and Batteries to Eligible Seniors and People with Disabilities
- 1 Farmers Caught in the Middle
- 2 A Fragile Workforce Meets Policy Whiplash
- 3 Community Rallies for Sotelo Casas
- 4 Farm Bureau Focuses on Resources
Farmers Caught in the Middle
“Labor is always a concern for farmers because, unlike other industries, it requires a labor force that is willing to work,” said Austin McClister, a spokesperson for the Oregon Farm Bureau. “Most domestic workers don’t apply for these jobs. And if we don’t have workers, we don’t get people fed.”
Up to one-third of Oregon’s agricultural workers are estimated to be undocumented, leaving the industry particularly vulnerable to sudden enforcement actions.
The Farm Bureau is now working to connect farmworkers and employers with legal support, underscoring how vulnerable the industry is to instability.
A Fragile Workforce Meets Policy Whiplash
Federal immigration enforcement has sent mixed signals in recent weeks. President Donald Trump briefly paused workplace raids in industries like farming and hospitality—only to reverse the pause soon after. The confusion has left farm owners and workers alike in a precarious position.
The Oregon Farm Bureau finds itself in a politically tight spot. While many of its members may lean conservative and support the administration’s broader policies, their economic survival depends heavily on undocumented labor.
“We want to keep farming sustainable,” McClister added. “That sustainability requires a sustainable workforce. Fixing the farm labor crisis has to happen through Congress and by modernizing outdated systems.”
Community Rallies for Sotelo Casas
Sotelo Casas’ arrest sparked deep concern in Newberg and across Oregon’s agricultural circles. A GoFundMe campaign has raised over $100,000 for his family’s legal expenses. Supporters describe him as a father, grandfather, church member, and dedicated professional in the wine industry.
ICE claims he was arrested during routine enforcement and cited a 1997 DUI conviction, although public records reveal only two traffic violations and no available evidence of a DUII. The Yamhill County DA and Newberg Municipal Court both confirmed they had no DUII records for Sotelo Casas.
ICE later moved him from Tacoma, Washington, to Arizona, and has not responded to further requests for documentation.
Farm Bureau Focuses on Resources
The Farm Bureau says it’s not taking a political position on immigration policy but is focused on providing practical support to its members and their workers.
“They’re both the invisible hands that get food out of the fields and onto grocery store shelves,” McClister said. “We’re committed to making sure they have the help they need during uncertain times.”
With labor already tight and growing uncertainty in Washington, Oregon’s farmers fear this is only the beginning of a deeper crisis in agriculture.
