Padres Minor League Coach Detained by ICE in El Paso

Oswaldo Pirela, the minor league catching coordinator for the San Diego Padres, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at El Paso International Airport early Sunday morning while traveling for work, according to his family and federal authorities. The 34-year-old Venezuelan national remains in custody at the El Paso Processing Center as of Tuesday, August 18, 2026, pending removal proceedings, the Department of Homeland Security said.

Pirela was taken into custody at approximately 5 a.m. on Sunday, August 16, while preparing to return home to his family in Peoria, Arizona, following a work assignment for the Padres, whose Triple-A affiliate, the El Paso Chihuahuas, is based in the city. His sister, Daniela Pirela, confirmed the arrest to news outlets, stating her brother travels weekly for his role.

In a statement, the San Diego Padres acknowledged the situation. "We recently became aware of the detainment of minor league catching coordinator Oswaldo Pirela in El Paso, Texas," the team said. "We are working to gather additional information and will not have any further comment at this time."

The reasons for the detention are disputed. The Department of Homeland...