Padres Coach Detained by ICE at Texas Airport

Oswaldo José Pirela, the San Diego Padres' minor-league catching coordinator, was detained by ICE at El Paso International Airport on Sunday. He remained in custody as of late Monday, per family accounts and ICE detainee records.

• 34-year-old Pirela was traveling for work when detained around 5 a.m. Sunday.
• His brother said Pirela was not carrying his work permit card at the time.
• Pirela first arrived in the U.S. in 2014 and applied for asylum, sister Daniela Pirela said.
• He has two U.S.-born daughters and lives outside Phoenix, Arizona.

Why it matters: Pirela's case draws attention because he holds an active asylum claim and a professional sports staff job, yet was detained while on a routine work trip.

• Sister Daniela Pirela says authorities have not given the family a reason for the detention.
• Brother Jorge Heli Pirela says the family fled Venezuelan government persecution through legal channels.

How 7 sources split on this story

Where they split: Coverage does not dispute the core facts; the disagreement is over whether the detention reflects legitimate enforcement or unjust targeting of a legal asylum seeker.

What’s next: The family is seeking a lawyer and has asked Rep. Abraham Hamadeh to intervene.

• The Padres say they are working to gather additional information.
• ICE has not publicly stated why Pirela was detained or what prompted the action.
• It is unknown whether the absence of his work permit card was a factor in the detention decision.
• Rep. Hamadeh's office had not responded to requests for comment as of publication.