D.C. youth baseball coach Amaury Monsalve is being held at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Louisiana after a traffic stop led to his arrest.

Monsalve, known as "Coach A" to his players, coached at Deal Middle School, Jackson-Reed High School and Woodson High School, according to his wife, Aniushka Monsalve, who spoke to DC News Now and NBC Washington. His wife told NBC Washington he had coached in the area for more than 20 years. The Arcadia Foundation, a D.C.-based nonprofit that organized a fundraiser for the family, put the figure at more than 25 years.

ICE took Monsalve into custody on Oct. 19, according to his family and the Arcadia Foundation. D.C. police had stopped him for a traffic violation while he was working as a chauffeur, his wife told DC News Now. She said the charge was eventually dropped, but ICE seized him.

NBC Washington reported additional details from Aniushka Monsalve's account: police found an open container in the vehicle and took everyone to the station. Monsalve, who was the driver, was held overnight. The next morning, he was due in both superior court and immigration court at the same time.

His wife said his attorneys attended the immigration hearing on his behalf. She told NBC Washington that a judge issued an ICE detainer. Although Monsalve's attorney filed an appeal, he was transferred within days to a detention center in Louisiana.

Monsalve is originally from Venezuela. He has permanent status in the United States and had been applying for citizenship, but his wife said the application was denied after an error was found on his permanent residency paperwork, which had been prepared with an attorney. She blamed their former immigration lawyer for the legal problems.

The family has lived in McLean, Va., since 2019, DC News Now reported.

Aniushka Monsalve told DC News Now the situation has been devastating for the family emotionally, spiritually and financially. She said one of their sons has high-functioning autism and depends on his father for emotional support. She told NBC Washington that the possibility of deportation to Venezuela terrifies her and that she fears for his safety.

Beyond coaching, Monsalve volunteered with the Arcadia Foundation and its Voice of the Children program, which provided baseball equipment and training for children in Venezuela.

Mark Sikich, who played for Monsalve at Deal Middle School, told DC News Now: "He made sure to teach everyone in baseball five, which I use for my community service to spread baseball to communities that with less money and aren't able to afford it."

Family and friends gathered in Bethesda on Sunday, Oct. 25, to rally support for Monsalve's return.

A GoFundMe campaign organized by Robert Carmona-Borjas, co-founder and CEO of the Arcadia Foundation, had raised $50,460 from 340 donations as of Oct. 24. The funds are designated for legal representation, any required bond and the family's essential expenses, according to the campaign page.

DC News Now reported that ICE did not respond to its requests for comment. NBC Washington said it also reached out to ICE and was still waiting for an answer.

An immigration hearing is scheduled for Nov. 3 in Annandale, Va. Monsalve is expected to attend virtually.