• ICE Detains Oswaldo Pirela
  • Padres Seek More Information
  • Pirela Remains in Custody

A member of the San Diego Padres’ player development staff remains in ICE custody after being detained in Texas.

Oswaldo Pirela, a 34-year-old Venezuelan, works as a catching coordinator within the Padres organization.

The detention occurred Sunday morning at an airport in El Paso, Texas, according to his family, who spoke to CNN.

Pirela was trying to return to Arizona, where he lives with his wife and two young daughters.

Why it matters: The case pits two versions of his immigration status against each other and comes as the Trump administration seeks to accelerate deportations.

ICE Detains Oswaldo Pirela in Texas

Pirela was in El Paso last week to work with the Padres’ Triple-A affiliate team.

His cousin, Jorge Pirela, explained that he was detained by ICE around 4:00 or 4:30 a.m.

Arrest records indicate that he is being held at the El Paso Processing Center.

According to his family, Pirela arrived in the United States from Venezuela in 2014 and applied for asylum.

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He is currently in the process of obtaining an EB-2 visa, according to information provided by his relatives.

Jorge Pirela assured that his cousin has continuously renewed his work authorization since applying for asylum.

“Since he applied for asylum, he has continuously renewed his work authorization every time it was about to expire,” he told CNN.

“Everything has been done through the proper legal process,” Jorge Pirela added in a text message.

He also described Oswaldo as a person dedicated mainly to his family and work.

“He is a truly exemplary person. He lives for his family, is a hard worker, a devoted father and husband, and a man of faith.”

DHS Claims Pirela Overstayed His Permit

The Department of Homeland Security offered a different version of Pirela’s immigration status in the United States.

A spokesperson indicated that Pirela entered the country illegally in 2014.

According to DHS, the U.S. government granted Pirela permission to stay in the United States until February 2018.

“In violation of our nation’s laws, he remained in the country longer than permitted,” the spokesperson noted.

The agency stated that Pirela did not have documentation showing legal status when he was approached by agents.

“He will remain in ICE custody pending the deportation process and will receive due process,” the spokesperson added.

DHS also pointed out that having work authorization or a pending application does not automatically confer legal immigration status.

“To be clear, work authorization or a pending application DOES NOT confer legal status in the United States.”

Padres Seek Information on Detention

Pirela has been part of the San Diego Padres organization since 2024.

The team contacted his family after learning about the situation, according to Major League Baseball.

“We recently learned of the detention of our minor league catching coordinator, Oswaldo Pirela, in El Paso, Texas,” the Padres said.

“We are working to obtain more information and will not make further comments at this time,” the team added in a statement to CNN.

The detention comes amid the Trump administration’s immigration policy and its intention to accelerate deportations.

The case also represents a new point of contact between MLB and the immigration operations driven by the administration.

Last summer, the Los Angeles Dodgers said they denied ICE access to parking lots located outside Dodger Stadium.

The incident occurred while the Trump administration was conducting raids on undocumented immigrants in the Los Angeles area.

Protesters also gathered at Dodger Stadium to express their rejection of ICE’s presence.

Now, Pirela’s case once again puts a Major League organization in the face of a detention related to immigration authorities.

For now, Pirela remains in ICE custody as he awaits the immigration process outlined by the Department of Homeland Security.