Oswaldo Jose Pirela, a minor league catching coordinator for the San Diego Padres, is being held in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention, with federal authorities alleging he has overstayed his visa by eight years. Pirela, a native of Venezuela, was granted permission to remain in the United States until February 10, 2018, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
"Nobody is above the law," DHS stated on the social platform X. "And he will remain in ICE custody pending removal." A DHS spokesperson informed NBC News that Pirela did not possess legal documentation authorizing his presence in the country when immigration authorities encountered him over the weekend in El Paso, Texas.
Pirela's sister, Daniela, told NBC News that her brother was apprehended at El Paso International Airport while traveling for work. She reported having brief contact with him but was unaware of his detention conditions, noting that he stated he was "OK."
The San Diego Padres organization acknowledged awareness of Pirela's situation on Tuesday and stated they are "working to gather additional information." The team has not provided further comment.
Pirela, 34, is a father of two. He previously played in the Texas Rangers' minor league system between 2009 and 2011. He joined the Padres organization in 2024, working with their Triple-A affiliate, the El Paso Chihuahuas.