San Diego Padres Minor-League Coordinator Detained by ICE in Texas
Oswaldo José Pirela, the San Diego Padres minor-league catching coordinator, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at El Paso International Airport in Texas. Pirela, a Venezuelan national, was reportedly traveling for work when he was taken into custody. According to a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, Pirela entered the U.S. legally on September 10, 2014, with permission to stay until February 10, 2018. He is accused of overstaying his legal permission and was not in possession of legal documentation when approached by law enforcement. The Padres organization has acknowledged the detainment, stating they are gathering additional information and will not comment further at this time. Pirela's family asserts he is in the U.S. legally, having sought asylum in 2014, and believes his active asylum case is the reason for his detainment. He has two U.S.-born daughters and lives outside Phoenix, Arizona. 
