Oswaldo Pirela, a Venezuelan who once played professionally before turning to coaching, was arrested by U.S. immigration officers while traveling for work with the San Diego Padres' minor‑league affiliate in El Paso.
Pirela entered the United States legally in 2014 and was granted asylum two years later. He has lived in the country for more than a decade, building a life in Peoria, Arizona, with his wife and two children who are U.S. citizens.
A Coach Caught in Immigration Limbo
According to the family, Pirela has always complied with U.S. regulations, but a missed deadline for renewing his stay led to an overstay that triggered removal proceedings. ICE detained him pending a decision on whether he will be required to leave the country.
The Padres organization confirmed the arrest and noted that Pirela's visa expired in 2018, after which he remained in the United States without proper authorization. The team said it is cooperating with authorities while expressing concern for the coach's family.
The Department of Homeland Security has verified the timeline of Pirela's entry and subsequent overstay, adding that his case is now part of the broader enforcement priorities that have placed many long‑term residents under scrutiny.