Moises Sotelo has fallen out of the headlines. The popular vineyard manager who had worked in Oregon’s Willamette Valley since 1994 was arrested by ICE agents on June 12 in Newberg, Oregon, as he was on his way to work. His family, friends and colleagues got the word out and generated media coverage and a GoFundMe to help his family defray expenses. My own piece, “
Bunch of hypocrites! They don’t give a crap, it’s all about the money. Had the wineries followed the law and hired only LEGAL workers, this would have never been an issue. Arrest the employers as well!
Have you ever worked in agriculture? Imagine your crop is in the field and MUST be harvested NOW. That's the priority. It can't wait until next week. Too many White Americans are not going to work in the fields. If they do show up, they may pick for half an hour then quit because the work is too hard. So what are you going to do? 20 people show up to pick so you get them out into the field. Their immigration status takes a backseat to getting your crop harvested. Additionally, some may show false papers. How do I check everyone's status at 6 AM to verify they are legit? We used to have a brassero program where foreign workers would show up to plant or pick, then return to their home country. That seems to have disappeared. It's not as clear cut easy as you seem to think.
It is very unfortunate that some hard working people, who committed the crime of illegal entry, and have not been able to change their status to legal, will be deported. The prior administration encouraged millions to break our laws and make false asylum claims. It appears surprisingly simple to gain control of our border, which means the prior administration was breaking our laws with premeditation. It would be wonderful if the Oregon wine industry works to ensure legal status for all participants and assist those who are presently in violation. Safe, controlled borders, and legal immigration should be the goal of all Americans.
Extortion payments to cartels, rapes and abuse on the journey, fentanyl shipments killing thousands, NGO providing assistance, prior administration encouraging this lawlessness, should be the enemy of all citizens who follow our laws and wish to live safe and peaceful lives.
With all due respect, your comment is idiotic nonsense.
Venezuela as one prominent example is a failed state. Maduro is a despot. That's exactly the case that asylum law is for. Trump had innocent Venezuelan immigrants sent to foreign prisons in El Salvador. As an American you should be offended by our indifference, cruelty and lack of due process.
If you don't like asylum law, then have Congress write a new law. That's exactly what happened under Biden. We had bipartisan immigration legislation. It hasn't been accomplished since Reagan. Trump had it blocked to help his re-election bid. He hasn't bothered to bring it back because he doesn't give a shit about governance or the rule of law.
Under Biden, we had record jobs and real wage growth especially at lower wage rates. That tells you the border was not a problem for American workers.
Clearly, there aren't. If we have real jobs and no way to fill them, then there are problems with the law. Here in America, Congress fixes problems by writing legislation. Oh wait, that happened under Biden, but Trump had it blocked.
Since when do right wingers give a shit about what is legal?
Trump is a pervert and a felon. He was under multiple indictments. His supporters helped him escape justice.
Trump literally praises a violent attack on our Capitol as a good thing. He stood by while police were attacked and Congress had to be evacuated. He pardoned violent criminals and seditionists.
Like you know anything more about me than "he disagrees with my politics, so he's obviously the most evil POS on earth". Typical brainwashed pseudo-intellectual.
A more self-evident falsehood have I rarely seen. Perhaps it's more likely that the things I stand for fill you with rage and hatred. Laying bare for all to see, the hipocracy of the (self-described) most open-minded and tolerant people in the world.
Sigh. I really hoped my modest little wine publication would attract people with more refined vocabulary than "leftard." And I'm trying hard to restrain my inner editor from asking if that's misspelled.
Heartbreaking. Thank you for continuing to keep his name out there. This administration is uprooting the lives of the very people who run our country. Who cleans Trump's many homes? Landscapes his yards? Cooks his well done steak?
Steak? not his preferred meal. How about no Macs & fries because we’ve deported the ‘illegals’?
Oh yeah, we’ll take the old and the disabled off government ‘handouts’; pull teens out of high school to work. That’s His Felonious Heinous 34/47s ‘bring on the chaos, be like the hero, solve the problem’ plan.
Anne, please accept my apology. I’m sorry it spilled out on you. Definitely wasn’t, isn’t, my intent. I appreciate you letting me know I made you feel that way. <hug>
I realized I was feeling too angry and took a break for the rest of the day.
I just don't get it. Sotelo is hard working. Contributes to the economy, to the society. Is an active member of his church!
As I said before, these are the kinds of people we want in the US. We're all immigrants. And it's people like Sotelo that make America great...
Sorry to hear this, the wine community must come together in support of Moises
Bunch of hypocrites! They don’t give a crap, it’s all about the money. Had the wineries followed the law and hired only LEGAL workers, this would have never been an issue. Arrest the employers as well!
You assume wineries could hire legal workers. Maybe, it isn't possible under current law.
“Maybe” it is.
If you aren't sure, then you damn well shouldn't be criticizing others.
Too stupid for nuance, aren’t you?
You criticize without any understanding of the "nuance" of the situation. You effectively called yourself "stupid." 🤦🤡
You sure seem angry. Go have a glass of wine!
Have you ever worked in agriculture? Imagine your crop is in the field and MUST be harvested NOW. That's the priority. It can't wait until next week. Too many White Americans are not going to work in the fields. If they do show up, they may pick for half an hour then quit because the work is too hard. So what are you going to do? 20 people show up to pick so you get them out into the field. Their immigration status takes a backseat to getting your crop harvested. Additionally, some may show false papers. How do I check everyone's status at 6 AM to verify they are legit? We used to have a brassero program where foreign workers would show up to plant or pick, then return to their home country. That seems to have disappeared. It's not as clear cut easy as you seem to think.
Sounds like poor planning to me. Why are you making excuses for industries that bank on illegal labor?
It is very unfortunate that some hard working people, who committed the crime of illegal entry, and have not been able to change their status to legal, will be deported. The prior administration encouraged millions to break our laws and make false asylum claims. It appears surprisingly simple to gain control of our border, which means the prior administration was breaking our laws with premeditation. It would be wonderful if the Oregon wine industry works to ensure legal status for all participants and assist those who are presently in violation. Safe, controlled borders, and legal immigration should be the goal of all Americans.
Extortion payments to cartels, rapes and abuse on the journey, fentanyl shipments killing thousands, NGO providing assistance, prior administration encouraging this lawlessness, should be the enemy of all citizens who follow our laws and wish to live safe and peaceful lives.
With all due respect, your comment is idiotic nonsense.
Venezuela as one prominent example is a failed state. Maduro is a despot. That's exactly the case that asylum law is for. Trump had innocent Venezuelan immigrants sent to foreign prisons in El Salvador. As an American you should be offended by our indifference, cruelty and lack of due process.
If you don't like asylum law, then have Congress write a new law. That's exactly what happened under Biden. We had bipartisan immigration legislation. It hasn't been accomplished since Reagan. Trump had it blocked to help his re-election bid. He hasn't bothered to bring it back because he doesn't give a shit about governance or the rule of law.
Under Biden, we had record jobs and real wage growth especially at lower wage rates. That tells you the border was not a problem for American workers.
Tough shit. There are legal ways for foreign nationals to be in the country.
Clearly, there aren't. If we have real jobs and no way to fill them, then there are problems with the law. Here in America, Congress fixes problems by writing legislation. Oh wait, that happened under Biden, but Trump had it blocked.
Since when do right wingers give a shit about what is legal?
Trump is a pervert and a felon. He was under multiple indictments. His supporters helped him escape justice.
Trump literally praises a violent attack on our Capitol as a good thing. He stood by while police were attacked and Congress had to be evacuated. He pardoned violent criminals and seditionists.
His methods to deport people are illegal.
Wow. The prospect of paying a little more for wine really gets your knickers in a twist, huh?
Nice regurgitation of leftard propaganda, though.
OK, traitor.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Like you know anything more about me than "he disagrees with my politics, so he's obviously the most evil POS on earth". Typical brainwashed pseudo-intellectual.
Hey Spankin, you’re projecting again.
OK, traitor.
Your comments define you as an ignorant asshole that stands for nothing.
A more self-evident falsehood have I rarely seen. Perhaps it's more likely that the things I stand for fill you with rage and hatred. Laying bare for all to see, the hipocracy of the (self-described) most open-minded and tolerant people in the world.
Sigh. I really hoped my modest little wine publication would attract people with more refined vocabulary than "leftard." And I'm trying hard to restrain my inner editor from asking if that's misspelled.
Misspelled snobbish elites? And my vocabulary is more than adequate. Sometimes a lack of polish is warranted.
Reading this reminded me of Nazi Germany, when the SS carried out raids to arrest Jews.
Never again, they said afterwards. Until next time, I might add.
I made a similar allusion in my first post about this case. One reader chastised me for inflammatory language, but I still think it’s apt.
Dave McIntyre, per an update today, 7/16, on his GoFundMe page, Moises Sotelo will be deported to Mexico this week. So sad and stupid.
This is sad. Thank you for the update.
Thanks for your coverage of this important issue. It’s unconscionable that they are going after the people in this hard working community.
Heartbreaking. Thank you for continuing to keep his name out there. This administration is uprooting the lives of the very people who run our country. Who cleans Trump's many homes? Landscapes his yards? Cooks his well done steak?
Steak? not his preferred meal. How about no Macs & fries because we’ve deported the ‘illegals’?
Oh yeah, we’ll take the old and the disabled off government ‘handouts’; pull teens out of high school to work. That’s His Felonious Heinous 34/47s ‘bring on the chaos, be like the hero, solve the problem’ plan.
< Sarcastic? Yes. I’m angry 😡 >
No need to direct your ire towards me. We're on the same page.
Anne, please accept my apology. I’m sorry it spilled out on you. Definitely wasn’t, isn’t, my intent. I appreciate you letting me know I made you feel that way. <hug>
I realized I was feeling too angry and took a break for the rest of the day.
Why has ICE not visited Trump winery ?
They would need a warrant!
Thanks for staying on top of this Dave. Is there any help at all from Oregon's Congressional representatives?