A San Diego Padres minor-league coach is in ICE custody in El Paso after he was detained at the El Paso International Airport trying to travel home to Arizona.
Oswaldo José Pirela, the Padres’ minor-league catching coordinator, was visiting the El Paso Chihuahuas as part of his job when he was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at El Paso International Airport early Sunday, Aug. 16, according to his family. An ICE detainee search showed Pirela remained at the El Paso Processing Center as of Tuesday, Aug. 18.
The Padres confirmed the situation but didn’t offer any details.
“We recently became aware of the detainment of minor league catching coordinator Oswaldo Pirela in El Paso, Texas,” the organization said. “We are working to gather additional information and will not have any further comment at this time.”
Pirela, 34, was preparing to return home to Arizona, where he lives with his wife and two U.S.-born daughters.
According to NBC News, his sister Daniela Pirela said Pirela sought asylum after arriving in the U.S. and she says he is legally in the country.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday, Aug. 18, on a post on X said Pirela entered the United States during the Obama administration and had been granted permission to remain in the country until February 10, 2018.
“In violation of our nation’s laws, he overstayed his welcome by more than 8 YEARS,” DHS stated on the post. “NOBODY is above the law, and he will remain in ICE custody pending removal.”
Bret Bloomquist can be reached, bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Padres coach detained by ICE at El Paso airport
Reporting by Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times | USA TODAY Network
