Pro Baseball Coach Detained by ICE

A San Diego Padres minor-league coach has been detained by immigration authorities in Texas, leaving his family scrambling for answers and demanding his release.

Oswaldo José Pirela, a Venezuelan-born former professional baseball player who now serves as the Padres’ minor-league catching coordinator, was taken into custody at El Paso International Airport early Sunday morning, according to his family.

His sister, Daniela Pirela, said her brother was traveling for work when immigration authorities detained him at around 5 a.m.

ICE detainee records showed Pirela remained in custody as of late Monday.

The Padres confirmed the stunning development Tuesday morning.

“We are working to gather additional information and will not have any further comment at this time,” the team said in a statement.

Pirela’s relatives insist he is legally in the United States and say they have not been told why he was detained.

Daniela said her brother first came to America in 2014 and applied for asylum after fleeing Venezuela.

“He did everything lawfully as the U.S. asks,” she said. “He loves this country.”

According to his family, Pirela has two daughters who were born in the United States and lives outside Phoenix, Arizona.

His brother, Jorge Heli Pirela, said the family came to America after being affected by persecution under the Venezuelan government.

“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,” he wrote on Instagram.

Jorge described his brother as “a devoted father, a dedicated coach, an exceptional worker” who has earned the respect of players, coworkers and former managers.

Daniela said she suspects her brother’s detention could be connected to his still-pending asylum case.

“There isn’t a reason why they detained him,” she said. “They still haven’t told us.”

The family has now launched a public push for help, calling on Rep. Abraham Hamadeh, who represents Pirela’s Arizona district, to intervene.

Relatives are also searching for an attorney as they fight to get Pirela released and ensure he receives due process.

His mother, Naivy Dominguez, made an emotional plea on social media, saying her son was being “unjustly detained” despite what she described as a documented lawful history in the United States.

She urged supporters to “speak up” and help the public understand who her son really is.

Pirela has deep roots in professional baseball.

He signed with the Texas Rangers organization in 2009 and spent three years in its minor-league system, playing several positions with the Dominican Summer League Rangers before later moving into coaching.

Now his family says the focus is simply getting him home.

“Today, his daughters are waiting for their father to come home,” his mother said. “His family is waiting for him. His community is standing behind him.”

ICE and Major League Baseball had not publicly explained the reason for Pirela’s detention as of early Tuesday.