El Paso, Texas – On Sunday morning, around 4 a.m., U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents detained Oswaldo Jose Pirela Domínguez, the San Diego Padres’ minor‑league catching coordinator, at El Paso International Airport. Pirela, a 34‑year‑old Venezuelan‑born illegal immigrant, was traveling home to his family in Arizona after a stint with the Padres’ Triple‑A affiliate in El Paso.
Detention details
According to a statement released by Border Patrol, Pirela entered the United States legally on September 10, 2014 and was granted permission by the Obama administration to remain until February 10, 2018. The agency says he overstayed that authorization and was not carrying his work permit card when approached by officers, a fact confirmed by his brother, Jorge Pirela.
The statement emphasized that a work authorization or a pending application does not confer legal status in the United States. As a result, Pirela will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings, during which he is entitled to due process.
Family and team response
Pirela’s wife, Kimberly Avila, has been in contact with her husband since the incident and noted that the Padres organization is assisting the family. The club issued a brief statement acknowledging the detention, saying it is gathering additional information and will not comment further at this time.
Avila has asserted that the family has pending asylum applications and temporary identification cards, but the Border Patrol statement clarified that such documents do not provide legal status.
Broader context
The incident highlights ongoing challenges surrounding immigration enforcement in Texas, a state that has seen heightened activity by federal agents at its borders and ports of entry. While the Padres’ operations in El Paso are primarily athletic, the detention underscores how immigration status can affect individuals working in local sports organizations.
Local officials have not yet commented on the case, and no court proceedings have been reported. The situation remains under the jurisdiction of federal immigration authorities.
What’s next?
Oswaldo Pirela will remain in ICE custody while removal proceedings are scheduled. His family and the Padres organization are awaiting further details from immigration officials. The case serves as a reminder to all employers and employees in the region to ensure proper documentation is carried when traveling through federal checkpoints.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
