The Trump administration’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement, more commonly referred to as ICE, has been extremely active under the administration’s crackdown on immigration. A focus on ‘flight risks’ has resulted in several warrantless arrests in airports near the border, and now those arrests are having a major impact on one MLB franchise.
While traveling for work, San Diego Padres minor-league catching coordinator Oswaldo José Pirela was detained by immigration authorities in El Paso, Texas, reports Dennis Romero, Izzy Alvarez, and Jean Lee of NBC News.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainee records showed Pirela still in custody as of late Monday.
“We are working to gather additional information and will not have any further comment at this time,” Padre team officials said Tuesday morning.
Pirela’s family has taken to social media in defense of their loved one
“Oswaldo, like me and other members of our family, was directly affected by persecution from the Venezuelan regime, we came to the United States seeking safety through the legal process, applied for asylum through the proper channels, and have worked hard to build our lives and become contributing members of American society.” said brother Jorge Heli Pirela via Instagram.
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“Today, he is being unjustly detained, even though his lawful history in this country can be documented, and so can the life and conduct he has built here,” Pirela’s mother, Naivy Dominguez wrote.
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Pirela is the father of two U.S.-born daughters and lives outside Phoenix, Arizona. The family is currently seeking aid from U.S. Rep. Abraham Hamadeh, D-Arizona, who represents Pirela’s home district, but he has yet to intervene.
As October nears, the San Diego Padres look to make a Wild Card push in a loaded NL; Pirela’s absence could have a massive impact on San Diego’s performance down the stretch.
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