ICE Detains MLB Coach With Pending Asylum Claim
Oswaldo Pirela, a minor-league coach for the San Diego Padres, has been in ICE custody since Sunday after agents stopped him at El Paso airport. His family says he has a pending asylum claim and valid work authorization. The Department of Homeland Security says that is not enough to give him legal status — and he now faces removal proceedings.
ICE agents detained Oswaldo Pirela, the San Diego Padres' minor-league catching coordinator, at El Paso International Airport at around 5 a.m. on Sunday, August 17, 2026. Pirela, a 34-year-old Venezuelan national, was returning from a work trip when agents stopped him. He has been in federal immigration custody since.
His family says Pirela has a pending asylum application and has renewed his work authorization every time it was about to expire. He arrived in the US from Venezuela in 2014, fleeing political persecution, and applied for asylum that same year. His family also says he is pursuing an EB-2 visa — an employment-based path to permanent residency. He lives outside Phoenix with his wife and two US-born daughters.
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What DHS says — and why it matters
The Department of Homeland Security told CNN that Pirela entered the US illegally in 2014 and received permission to stay only until February 2018. DHS says he remained in the country past that date and was not carrying documentation showing legal status when agents approached him. According to ESPN, his brother confirmed he did not have his physical work-permit card on him at the time. A DHS spokesperson stated directly: "Work authorization or a pending application do not confer legal status in the United States." Pirela will remain in ICE custody while removal proceedings move forward. No immigration court date had been set as of Tuesday.
The Padres said in a statement that they became aware of the detention and are gathering more information. Major League Baseball confirmed the Padres contacted Pirela's family. His wife, Kemberly Avila, said the club is helping the family and that she has spoken with her husband since his arrest. This case comes as the Trump administration has pushed to expand the range of immigrants subject to arrest and speed up deportations.
What to do if you or someone you know is in a similar situation
- Always carry your physical immigration documents — your work permit card (EAD), asylum receipt notice, or any other proof of status — when traveling, especially through airports or ports of entry.
- If ICE detains you, you have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with an attorney. Do not sign any documents before consulting a lawyer.
- Ask about a bond hearing as soon as possible. An immigration judge can set a bond that allows release from ICE custody while your case continues. Lawyers recommend requesting this hearing immediately after detention.
- Contact an immigration attorney right away. Organizations like the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) can help you find legal representation quickly.
What to do, step by step — see our guide “Appealing to the BIA”.
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This case is a clear warning: a pending asylum application or a valid EAD card does not automatically protect you from detention if your authorized period of stay has expired. Under current DHS enforcement priorities, agents can detain and initiate removal proceedings even against people with long-standing ties to the US and pending applications. If your authorized stay date has passed, you should speak with an immigration attorney immediately to explore options like filing a motion to reopen, requesting a bond hearing, or pursuing adjustment of status through an employer petition. Do not assume that renewing your work permit keeps your underlying status intact — those are two different things.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ICE arrest me if I have a valid work permit (EAD)?
Yes. A work permit shows you are authorized to work, but it does not automatically give you legal immigration status. If your authorized period of stay has expired, DHS may still detain you and start removal proceedings, even if your EAD is current.
Does a pending asylum application protect me from deportation?
Not automatically. A pending asylum application may pause a final removal order in some cases, but it does not prevent ICE from detaining you or starting removal proceedings — especially if your authorized stay has already expired.
What happens at a bond hearing in immigration court?
A bond hearing is a short court appearance where an immigration judge decides whether you can be released from ICE custody while your case continues. The judge looks at factors like your ties to the community, your immigration history, and whether you are a flight risk. If bond is granted, you or your family pays the amount set by the judge and you are released.
What should I do if a family member is detained by ICE?
Contact an immigration attorney as quickly as possible. Ask ICE which detention facility your family member is in — you can use the ICE detainee locator at ice.gov. Request a bond hearing right away. Do not sign any documents on behalf of the detained person without legal advice.