SAN DIEGO — San Diego Padres minor-league catching coordinator Oswaldo José Pirela was detained by immigration authorities in El Paso, Texas, and remained in custody, according to family and ICE detainee records.
\n\nHis sister Daniela Pirela said in a phone interview that her brother, who was raised in Venezuela, was detained at El Paso International Airport at around 5 a.m. Sunday while traveling for work, which she said he does weekly for the Padres.
\n\nImmigration and Customs Enforcement detainee records showed Pirela in custody late Monday.
\n\nIn a statement early Tuesday, the Padres said that they’d recently learned of Pirelas’ detainment. “We are working to gather additional information and will not have any further comment at this time,” the team said.
\n\nICE and Major League Baseball did not immediately respond to a request for comment from NBC News.
\n\nDaniela Pirela said she spoke with her brother briefly but is not truly aware of the conditions he is living in while in detention.
\n\n“He’s a very strong person and he tries not to worry us,” she said. “He’s going to say he’s OK. That’s what he said.”
\n\nShe said her brother is in the U.S. legally and sought asylum in 2014…
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/health