Oswaldo Jose Pirela, a minor-league catching coordinator for the San Diego Padres, has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in El Paso, Texas. Family members and detainee records confirmed Pirela remained in custody as of Monday. He was detained Sunday morning at El Paso International Airport while traveling for work, according to his sister.
Pirela's wife stated that he was flying back to his family in Arizona, where the Padres hold their annual spring training. His brother indicated that Pirela was not carrying his work permit card at the time of his detention. The San Diego Padres organization confirmed they are aware of the situation and are working with Pirela's family to provide assistance.
"We are working to gather additional information and will not have any further comment at this time," the team said in a statement.
According to his sister, Daniela Pirela, Oswaldo Jose Pirela sought asylum in the United States in 2014 and has been in the country legally. She expressed uncertainty about the prolonged processing of his asylum case, emphasizing that he has followed all legal procedures. His sister believes he may have been targeted due to his active asylum case, though no specific reason for his detention has been provided to the family.
Pirela has been with the Padres organization since January 2024, according to his LinkedIn profile. He has two U.S.-born daughters. His brother, Jorge Heli Pirela, wrote on Instagram that their family experienced persecution from the Venezuelan regime, leading them to seek safety and apply for asylum in the U.S. through legal channels. He described Oswaldo as a devoted father, dedicated coach, and a respected member of his communities.
The family has publicly requested the intervention of U.S. Rep. Abraham Hamadeh, R-Arizona, who represents their home district, and is seeking legal counsel to facilitate Pirela's release and ensure his due process.
Pirela's professional baseball career includes a previous stint with the Texas Rangers organization from 2009 for three years, where he played in the Dominican Summer League. His mother has urged public support, stating that Pirela is being unjustly detained despite having a documented lawful history in the country, and that his daughters and family are awaiting his return to Arizona.