The San Diego Padres’ minor league catching coordinator, Oswaldo Pirela, has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in El Paso, Texas.
Pirela, a 34-year-old Venezuelan national, was taken into custody while traveling back to Phoenix after his shift with the team’s Triple-A affiliate in El Paso. ICE records confirm he remains at the El Paso Processing Center and was reportedly not carrying his work permit card at the time of detention.
The Padres stated they were “working to gather additional information” but declined further comment. Pirela and his family entered the United States legally in 2014 following an asylum application. They have two U.S.-born daughters and live outside Phoenix.
Family members emphasized that Pirela has lived lawfully in America for years as a devoted father, coach, and community contributor. “He did everything lawfully as the U.S. asks,” said his sister Daniela in a statement. “He loves this country.”
The family claims his detention stems from an unprocessed asylum case and has publicly urged their representative in Congress to intervene on their behalf.
