Portland, Ore. – For 26-year-old Alondra Sotelo García, the weight of family responsibility arrived suddenly this summer. With her father, Moises Sotelo, deported to Mexico in July, Alondra is now preparing to care for her teenage brother and manage the family’s vineyard service business in Oregon while her mother relocates to Mexico to reunite with her husband.
A Family Divided
On August 14, Alondra stood with her mother, Irma García, at Portland International Airport as the two prepared to travel to Veracruz, Mexico. While Irma will stay to rejoin her husband for the first time since his deportation, Alondra plans to return to Oregon. Her role will be to step into her father’s shoes, both at home and at the vineyard business he built, Novo Start Vineyard Service.
The sudden shift has left Alondra grappling with responsibilities she never imagined shouldering so soon.
Taking on New Roles
On a recent Monday morning, Alondra could be found watering the flowers her father had planted in front of their Newberg home. It was just after 8 a.m., but her day was already packed with tasks—running the household, helping her younger brother, and preparing to oversee vineyard operations.
“It feels like motherhood thrown at you,” she said, reflecting on the dual roles of caregiver and business manager she must now balance.
The Business Legacy
Novo Start Vineyard Service, the family’s business, is more than just an income source. It represents years of hard work and sacrifice by her father, who grew it to support the family and establish a place in Oregon’s wine industry.
With his sudden absence, Alondra feels a deep responsibility to preserve his efforts while continuing to provide stability for her younger brother, who is still navigating high school.
Emotional Toll of Deportation
Moises Sotelo’s deportation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in July has left lasting marks on the family. His removal not only fractured their household but also left a leadership vacuum in their business.
While her mother reunites with him in Mexico, Alondra faces the challenge of managing her grief while staying strong for her sibling and their employees. “It’s overwhelming,” she admitted, “but I don’t want my brother to feel like he’s lost everything.”
Strength Amid Uncertainty
Despite the hardship, Alondra is determined to keep her family and the business moving forward. Her resilience reflects the struggles faced by many families torn apart by immigration enforcement, where children and young adults are left to assume adult roles overnight.
Community members have expressed support, but the transition is far from easy. Alondra continues to juggle her responsibilities, finding strength in the very tasks her father once performed—watering flowers, managing schedules, and guiding a family business that now rests on her shoulders.
Leave a Reply