San Diego Padres minor-league catching coordinator Oswaldo Pirela was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while traveling in El Paso, Texas and remains in custody, the team confirmed. In a statement Monday, the Padres said the team is aware of Pirela’s detainment and was working to gather more information, per The Athletic.
“We recently became aware of the detainment of minor league catching coordinator Oswaldo Pirela in El Paso, Texas,” the Padres said in a statement Monday. “We are working to gather additional information and will not have any further comment at this time.”
The Padres’ Triple-A affiliate is based out of El Paso, Texas. Pirela was reportedly flying home to his family in Phoenix at the time of his detainment, per The Athletic. Pirela’s family also spoke about his detainment. HIs sister, Daniela Pirela, spoke with NBC News, telling them her brother was detained around 5 a.m. on Sunday while traveling for work. Oswaldo’s brother Jorge also confirmed the detainment, posting a lengthy message on Instagram asking for Oswaldo to be freed.
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The ICE website does list Oswaldo Jose Pirela Dominguez as a current detainee. He is currently at the El Paso Processing Center, per ICE’s website. Pirela was not carrying his work permit card at the time he was detained, per The Athletic. Pirela and his family entered the United States legally in 2014 after seeking asylum, per NBC News. But their case remains unprocessed, Daniela said.
"He did everything lawfully as the U.S. asks," she said. "He loves this country."
Pirela is married and has two American-born daughters Pirela’s brother, Jorge, also confirmed that his family came to the United States to escape “persecution from the Venezuelan regime,” per NBC News.
"Oswaldo, like me and other members of our family, was directly affected by persecution from the Venezuelan regime," brother Jorge Heli Pirela said on Instagram. "We came to the United States seeking safety through the legal process, applied for asylum through the proper channels, and have worked hard to build our lives and become contributing members of American society."
ICE did not return messages when reached by The Athletic. Pirela spent three seasons in the Dominican Summer League with the Texas Rangers from 2009 to 2011. After working various other jobs following his playing career, Pirela joined the Padres as a catching coordinator in 2024, per his LinkedIn page. This story will be updated.