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ICE Detains Padres Coordinator Oswaldo Pirela at El Paso

8/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Oswaldo Pirela, the San Diego Padres’ minor-league catching coordinator, at El Paso International Airport in Texas.
The detention occurred around 4 a.m. on Sunday as the 34-year-old Venezuelan father of two traveled home to Arizona without his work permit card.
His family, with pending asylum applications and temporary ID cards, received assistance from the Padres, who said they are gathering information and will not comment further.

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Story summary

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Oswaldo Pirela, the San Diego Padres’ minor-league catching coordinator, at El Paso International Airport in Texas.
The detention occurred around 4 a.m. on Sunday as the 34-year-old Venezuelan father of two traveled home to Arizona without his work permit card.
His family, with pending asylum applications and temporary ID cards, received assistance from the Padres, who said they are gathering information and will not comment further.