A former Venezuelan baseball player currently working for the San Diego Padres was detained by federal immigration officers after arriving in Texas on a work trip for the club, according to statements from his family on Tuesday.

Oswaldo Pirela, who serves as a catching coordinator in the Padres' minor league pipeline, was being held at an El Paso detention center, federal records indicate. In an issued statement, the Padres acknowledged the arrest and noted the club is actively working to gather further details.

His sister, Daniela Pirela, said the father of two was arrested around 5 a.m. Sunday at an El Paso airport. The Padres operate a minor league affiliate team in the Texas border city, known as the El Paso Chihuahuas.

Daniela said her 34-year-old brother has lived in the U.S. for 12 years and has followed the law. She said he applied for asylum in 2015 and lives in Peoria, Arizona, with his wife and two children, ages 9 and 4, who are both U.S. citizens.

“Since he arrived in this country, the only thing he’s done is follow the rules of this country and do things properly,” Daniela told The Associated Press.

The Department of Homeland Security said Oswaldo entered the country legally in 2014 and was granted permission to stay until February 10, 2018. He then “overstayed his welcome,” DHS said in a statement, adding that work authorization or pending applications “do not confer” U.S. legal status.

Owswaldo is in ICE custody pending removal, DHS said.

His family told NBC News that he came to the U.S. from Venezuela and sought asylum but was unaware of why his case had taken so long to process.

Oswaldo’s brother, Jorge Heli Pirela, wrote in an Instagram post, "My brother is not a criminal. He is a son, a brother, a coach, a worker, and a man who came to this country seeking protection after our family suffered persecution in Venezuela. He followed the asylum process, built a life here, worked hard, contributed to his community, and was traveling for work when ICE detained him. We are asking for one thing: due process and justice."

Oswaldo had a brief minor-league playing career as a catcher in the Texas Rangers organization.