ICE Detains Padres Staffer Upon Arrival in Texas

Oswaldo Pirela, a former Venezuelan baseball player and current catching coordinator for the San Diego Padres, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at an El Paso airport on Sunday morning while on a work trip.

Pirela, who has legally resided in the U.S. for 12 years, was detained at approximately 5 a.m. His family expressed their concerns, emphasizing that he has adhered to U.S. laws since his arrival. He lives in Peoria, Arizona, with his wife and two children, both of whom are U.S. citizens.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, Pirela entered the country legally in 2014 and applied for asylum in 2015. However, he has since overstayed his visa. His brother, Jorge Heli Pirela, defended him on Instagram, stating, "My brother is not a criminal… We are asking for one thing: due process and justice." The Padres organization is currently investigating the situation.

Source: www.independent.co.uk