The Daily Journal.— Oswaldo Pirela, a former Venezuelan baseball player and catching coordinator in the San Diego Padres minor league system, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at El Paso International Airport in Texas.
Pirela, 34, was traveling for work with the organization, specifically with the Padres’ Triple-A affiliate, the El Paso Chihuahuas. He was returning home to Peoria, Arizona, where he lives with his wife and two daughters, ages 9 and 4, both U.S. citizens, when agents stopped him at around 5:00 a.m.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Pirela legally entered the United States from Venezuela on September 10, 2014, with authorization that expired on February 10, 2018. Authorities allege that he overstayed his authorized period and did not carry legal documentation proving his immigration status when agents detained him. DHS said ICE will keep him in custody while his deportation proceedings move forward and that he will receive due process.
Pirela’s family, however, maintains that he has legal status in the country. His sister, Daniela Pirela, said he applied for asylum in 2015 and has always complied with the law. His brother, Jorge Pirela, said the family fled persecution by the Venezuelan regime and has followed all required legal procedures. According to his family, Pirela is currently pursuing an EB-2 visa and has consistently renewed his work permit.
The San Diego Padres issued a statement saying they know about the detention and are gathering additional information. The organization declined to comment further for now.
Pirela, who had a brief minor league career as a catcher with the Texas Rangers, joined the Padres in 2024. The case has drawn media attention as another episode at the intersection of Major League Baseball and the government’s immigration policies.
