An Oregon business owner who was detained by immigration enforcement officers last month will be removed to his home country of Mexico, according to a Thursday social media post from his family members.
Moises Sotelo Casas, 54, is the owner of a business that manages vineyards across the northern Willamette Valley. He was arrested in Newberg by U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement officers in June, and has been detained at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, Washington.
A public outcry for his release made national headlines. After weeks of uncertainty, he will be removed from the U.S.
An undated image provided by the Sotelo family of Moises Sotelo-Casas standing in a vineyard.
Courtesy of the Sotelo Family
“With a heavy heart, we want to update everyone that Moises is being deported to Mexico this week,” reads a statement on a GoFundMe account his family set up. “The Sotelo family is still working on ways to attempt to bring him home, but at the moment, his case is closed.”
In June, an ICE spokesperson told OPB Sotelo Casas was arrested as part of routine federal law enforcement activity. The federal agency alleged Sotelo first entered the U.S. illegally in 2006 and told OPB he also had a criminal conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol in 1997.
But a search for Sotelo Casas’ criminal records only yields minor traffic violations, just two speeding tickets. OPB also checked with the Yamhill County District Attorney’s office and the Newberg Municipal Court, but neither could find records of a DUII charge for Sotelo Casas.
Newberg’s court only retains court records for DUII charges for 10 years. It would not have records of charges or convictions from the 1990s. ICE has not provided proof of any charges filed against Sotelo Casas.
FILE - A sign at the “No Kings” rally in Newberg, Ore., June 14, 2025, references Novo Start Vineyard Service's owner Moises Sotelo of Newberg, who was arrested by ICE officers on his way to work.
Alejandro Figueroa / OPB
People close to Sotelo Casas and family members describe him as a loving father, grandfather and a pillar of his community.
“Knowing that the community was behind the Sotelo Family during this time means more than we could put into words,” the GoFundMe post said. “Moises continues to be deeply touched by the immense support and awareness that his situation has garnered from his neighbors, industry connections, and people across the country.”
Related: Oregon farm group says rising immigration enforcement is disruptive to agriculture
At least one person who was employed by Sotelo Casas was also arrested by ICE officers in June.
Teofilo De Los Santos Romero, who was born in Mexico, was arrested in Newberg a few days prior to Sotelo Casas.
De Los Santos Romero was charged for driving under the influence of intoxicants in January of this year in Yamhill County, although he was undergoing a diversion program, according to court records.
ICE declined to specify whether De Los Santos Romery has been removed from the U.S.
