EL PASO, TEXAS — San Diego Padres minor-league catching coordinator Oswaldo José Pirela was detained by immigration authorities in El Paso, Texas. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainee records showed Pirela in custody late Monday.

Daniela Pirela said her brother was detained at El Paso International Airport at around 5 a.m. Sunday while traveling for work. She said she spoke with him briefly but is not truly aware of the conditions he is living in while in detention.

"He’s a very strong person and he tries not to worry us," Daniela Pirela said. "He’s going to say he’s OK. That’s what he said." She added that she does not know why her brother's asylum case has taken so long to process.

In a statement early Tuesday, the San Diego Padres said that they had recently learned of Pirela's detainment. The organization addressed the situation publicly as family members sought legal assistance.

"We are working to gather additional information and will not have any further comment at this time," the San Diego Padres said. The team did not provide additional details regarding the circumstances of the detention or the coordinator's employment status during the proceedings.

Daniela she said he sought asylum in 2014 when he first arrived in the United States. She stated that he did everything lawfully as the U.S. asks and loves this country. She also said she believes he was targeted due to his active asylum case.

"There isn’t a reason why they detained him," she said. "They still haven’t told us." She said the family is seeking a lawyer to help them free him.

He has two U.S.-born daughters and lives outside Phoenix, Arizona, according to family members. His professional background includes being signed by the Texas Rangers in 2009 and remaining with the organization for three years, playing multiple positions for the Dominican Summer League Rangers in the minors, according to Major League Baseball records.

Naivy Dominguez said on Instagram that he is being unjustly detained, even though his lawful history in this country can be documented. She asked supporters to speak up and tell the world who he truly is.

"Today, his daughters are waiting for their father to come home," Naivy Dominguez said. "His family is waiting for him. His community is standing behind him." The family has publicly asked U.S. Rep. Abraham Hamadeh, D-Arizona, to intervene in the matter.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed that Pirela was processed following an encounter at a port of entry. Officials did not specify whether he attempted to re-enter the country or was undergoing a routine check. Asylum seekers with pending cases are generally allowed to live and work in the U.S. while their claims are reviewed, though some face detention if deemed a flight risk or threat to public safety.

Pirela has worked with the Padres since 2022, serving as a catching instructor in player development. Team personnel described him as a dedicated coach committed to mentoring young players. Community advocates familiar with his case emphasized his longstanding ties to the U.S. and called for transparency from immigration authorities.

Legal experts note that prolonged asylum processing times have become increasingly common across immigration courts nationwide. Advocacy groups monitoring immigration enforcement actions say detentions of individuals with established community and employment ties remain rare but have risen slightly in recent months.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona said it is tracking the case amid concerns about due process. A spokesperson for the organization declined to comment further, citing privacy considerations.

As of Tuesday, Pirela remained in federal custody without a scheduled release date. Family members continue to coordinate with legal counsel and congressional staff to obtain updates on his status.