San Diego Padres Minor League Coach Detained by ICE

Pirela's family is appealing to fans and supporters for help.

Published: 8/19/2026, 6:06:07 PM EDT

San Diego Padres Minor League Coach Detained by ICE — Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres celebrates with Jurickson Profar #10 after hitting a two run home run against AJ Smith-Shawver #32 of the Atlanta Braves during the first inning in Game One of the Wild Card Series at Petco Park in San Diego, Calif., on Oct. 1, 2024. (Sean Haffey/Getty Images)

A minor-league coach in the San Diego Padres organization was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Oswalo Pirela is a minor-league catching coordinator for the Padres. He was traveling from El Paso to his home in Arizona when he was arrested by Customs and Border Protection at the El Paso Airport. Pirela is a native of Venezuela.

"On August 16, 2026, Border Patrol arrested Oswaldo Jose Pirela Dominguez, an illegal alien from Venezuela, at the El Paso International Airport," a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a statement to NTD News. "He entered the country legally on September 10, 2014, and was granted permission by the Obama administration to remain in the country until February 10, 2018. In violation of our nation’s laws, he overstayed his welcome. When approached by law enforcement officers, he was not in possession of legal documentation granting him status in the country. He will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings and will receive due process."

The Padres' Triple-A affiliate, the El Paso Chihuahuas, played a six-game series last week against the Salt Lake Bees, an affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels.

Pirela lives in Peoria, Arizona, with his family. They told local news outlet AZ Family that he has a work permit issued in 2024 which is valid until 2029; and that he had it with him at the time of his arrest. His green card is still being processed.

But DHS maintained that "work authorization or a pending application do NOT confer legal status in the United States."

According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' website, a work permit—officially referred to as an Employment Authorization Document—is specifically for nonimmigrants in the United States, including asylees, refugees, and U-visa recipients, who require proof of eligibility to work in the country. Lawful permanent residents do not need a work permit because their Green Card is their work authorization.

Moreover, DHS terminated its Temporary Protected Status for Venezuela in September 2025. The decision was upheld by the Supreme Court in October; it went into effect in November. DHS notes, however, that those affected by the termination will maintain valid documentation until Oct. 2, so long as those documents were issued on or before Feb. 5, 2025.

Pirela's family is appealing to fans and supporters for help.

"Oswaldo, like me and other members of our family, was directly affected by persecution from the Venezuelan regime," his brother Jorge wrote on Instagram Monday. "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."

Anyone who knows Oswaldo knows the kind of person he is. He is a devoted father, a dedicated coach, an exceptional worker, and someone who has earned the respect of his coworkers, former managers, employers, players, and the communities he has been part of. The people who have worked and lived alongside him can speak to his character, his work ethic, and the positive impact he has had on those around him.

Today, his daughters are waiting for their father to come home. His family is waiting for him. His community is standing behind him."

As a teenager, Pirela played in the Dominican Summer League for their affiliate of the Texas Rangers. In 3 seasons, he totaled 189 at-bats, 40 hits, and 20 runs scored; he played catcher, outfield, and first base. He joined the coaching ranks of the Padres organization in 2024: first as a bench coach, then as a catching coordinator.

NTD News reached out to the Padres for comment.