A minor-league catching coordinator for the San Diego Padres was detained by U.S. immigration authorities at an airport in Texas over the weekend, his family and federal records confirm.
Oswaldo José Pirela Domínguez, 34, was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at El Paso International Airport at approximately 5 a.m. Sunday, according to his sister, Daniela Pirela, and ICE detainee records. Pirela was traveling for work when he was taken into custody, his family said.
The Padres issued a statement acknowledging the arrest and stated they were working to gather additional details. Major League Baseball and the Padres’ Triple-A affiliate, the El Paso Chihuahuas, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
-- Core Facts and Immediate Response --
Pirela, who has lived in the U.S. for 12 years, was reportedly not carrying his work permit card at the time of his arrest, according to his brother, Jorge Pirela. His family stated he had applied for asylum in 2015 and resides in Peoria, Arizona, with his wife and two children, both of whom are U.S. citizens.
ICE confirmed Pirela’s detention in a statement, identifying him as an undocumented Venezuelan national who entered the U.S. legally in 2014 under a permit granted during the Obama administration. The permit expired in February 2018, and Pirela was taken into custody after failing to present valid documentation during the encounter. ICE stated he would remain in custody pending removal proceedings and would receive due process.
-- Family and Advocacy Context --
Daniela Pirela described her brother as a law-abiding resident who followed all legal procedures. She expressed concern over his detention conditions but noted he had reassured the family he was coping. Jorge Pirela, in a social media post, framed the situation as part of a broader struggle faced by Venezuelan asylum seekers fleeing political persecution.
"Oswaldo, like me and other members of our family, was directly affected by persecution from the Venezuelan regime," Jorge Pirela wrote. "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."
-- Policy and Legal Background --
ICE’s statement indicated Pirela had overstayed his permitted duration in the U.S., a common basis for immigration enforcement actions. The agency emphasized that individuals in removal proceedings are entitled to due process, including the opportunity to present defenses against deportation.
The Padres’ statement did not address Pirela’s immigration status but confirmed the team was assisting with the situation. The club’s minor-league system includes the El Paso Chihuahuas, Pirela’s reported destination during the arrest.
-- Broader Implications --
The case highlights ongoing debates over immigration enforcement, asylum processing delays, and the treatment of long-term residents who entered the U.S. legally but later fell out of status. Family members and advocates have questioned why Pirela’s asylum case, initiated in 2015, remained unresolved for nearly a decade.
Daniela Pirela stated she was unsure why the asylum process had taken so long, reiterating her brother’s compliance with U.S. laws. "He did everything lawfully as the U.S. asks," she said. "He loves this country."