Does the major and/or minor leagues employee illegal immigrants as ball players?

Question

Someone told me that the ball players who are not American born citizens come here illegally and then are hired by the minor and major leagues.

Answer 1

The Cuban players do not come here directly. They go to another country (Mexico or Dominican Republic) that are not controlled by the baseball draft. Then they get a work visa to come play in the United States. They are not "automatically" given citizenship because they play baseball; they do move up the list if they are considered a specialist in a tough profession. For example, if Orlando Hernandez was a migrant worker rather than a pitcher he would still be waiting for his work visa.

All professional baseball players are high visibility; the teams work with the embassies and consulates to get their work visas lined up before spring training. The visas must be re-done every year unless they get their immigration "green card" as a resident alien.

Answer 2

All players in the Major and Minor League systems have work visas. While some may have originally come into the country illegally, they must get their visas sorted out before they can be employed.

Answer 3

Every ballplayer is in this country legally with a work permit, the teams make sure to take care of that issue.

Answer 4

Once they get a contract they are granted citizenship. As far as Cuban players go, they have to successfully make it here before they can be offered a contract.

Answer 5

sometimes

Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez came over here illegally but he got his citizenship and was given a contract

there are some ballplayers who come here illegally but they dont play illegally

Answer 6

Deport them If they are.