Overview
- Oswaldo Pirela was detained at El Paso International Airport on Aug. 16 and remained in ICE custody for about a week before being released on bond and returning to his family.
- The Department of Homeland Security says Pirela legally entered the U.S. on Sept. 10, 2014 and was authorized to stay only through Feb. 10, 2018, a period DHS characterizes as an overstay.
- Family members and reports say Pirela and his family are from Venezuela and have pending asylum applications, and that he was not carrying his physical work-permit card when agents detained him.
- The San Diego Padres confirmed his release and said they will make no further comment, noting Pirela joined the organization in 2024 and served as the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas catching coordinator.
- The case highlights how travel checks that require physical proof of work authorization can lead to short-term detention, while bond release allows family reunification as immigration and asylum proceedings play out and could affect his job and legal status.