San Diego Padres Coach Oswaldo Pirela Detained by ICE in Texas
Oswaldo Pirela, a Venezuelan former baseball player and current catching coach in the San Diego Padres' minor league system, was detained by U.S. immigration officers in El Paso, Texas. The detention occurred on Sunday around 5 a.m. at an airport while Pirela was on a work trip for the Padres, who have a minor league affiliate, the El Paso Chihuahuas, in the city. Federal records confirm Pirela is being held in an El Paso detention center. His sister, Daniela Pirela, stated that her brother has resided in the U.S. for 12 years, applied for asylum in 2015, and lives in Peoria, Arizona, with his wife and two U.S.-citizen children. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that Pirela entered the country legally in 2014 with permission to stay until 2018, but subsequently 'overstayed his welcome.' DHS clarified that work authorization or pending applications do not grant U.S. legal status, and Pirela is currently in ICE custody awaiting removal. 
