Malden, Massachusetts, September 18, 2025
News Summary
Edgar Hernan Elias Escobar, a Salvadoran man, was apprehended by immigration officials while heading to work in Malden, Massachusetts. During the incident, family members reported seeing excessive force used by officers, including breaking the car window and using a Taser. Despite his injuries, he was processed for removal proceedings at an ICE facility. The event has sparked community protests and criticism from local leaders regarding immigration enforcement practices.
Malden
A Salvadoran man, Edgar Hernan Elias Escobar, was taken into custody by immigration officials on his way to work in Malden, Massachusetts, shortly before 6 a.m. on a Wednesday. He was detained in the area of 28 Kennedy Drive and later placed in removal proceedings after processing at a federal facility.
Key details of the arrest
Family members and witnesses reported that Escobar was driving to a construction job when he called his wife, Leslie Perlera Gonzalez, during the incident. Perlera Gonzalez arrived at the scene and reported seeing her husband surrounded by immigration officers. She alleged that officers smashed his car window and that her husband was heard saying he was being hurt as a Taser was on his face. Perlera Gonzalez also alleged that immigration agents used an unmarked car to force her husband’s vehicle off the road before detaining him.
Malden police reported that Escobar sustained minor injuries during the arrest. He was transported on a stretcher to a hospital in Melrose, where Perlera Gonzalez was not allowed to see him. After about one hour at the hospital, he was moved to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facility in Burlington.
Background on the detainee and legal status
Escobar is 31 years old, has no criminal record, and was in the process of adjusting his immigration status after marrying Perlera Gonzalez last year. Perlera Gonzalez stated that he had never engaged in any criminal activity. His lawyer is working to prevent his transfer to a distant detention center and to avoid deportation.
Official accounts and processing
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said Escobar was targeted in the ICE operation and reported he suffered no injuries. The spokesperson stated that during the arrest Escobar refused to roll down his window and that officers used the minimum force necessary to detain him. ICE officials escorted Escobar to the hospital out of an abundance of caution for evaluations, where he was found to have no injuries and was discharged prior to being taken to the processing facility.
Community reaction and legal response
Friends and coworkers of Escobar organized a weekly protest outside the Burlington facility to support his release and that of other detainees. An attorney with Greater Boston Legal Services expressed concern for the local immigrant community and said such incidents were expected since the current presidential administration began. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey criticized recent ICE sweeps, saying they create fear and intimidation in communities and questioned the targeting of locations like churches and community centers. Healey also said her office has received no information from ICE about who is being detained or the reasons for detentions, and she called on the federal government to change course on immigration policies.
Operation and wider enforcement context
ICE has increased arrests in the greater Boston area as part of Operation Patriot 2.0, an operation focusing on detaining immigrants in public spaces. At last check, Escobar remained at the Burlington facility and there was uncertainty about the duration of his detention.
Next steps
Escobar is now set to be placed in removal proceedings. His lawyer is seeking to prevent transfer to a distant detention center and to avoid deportation. Local authorities and federal officials offered differing accounts of the force used and the presence of injuries; state and community leaders called for clearer information from ICE about the scope and targets of recent operations.
FAQ
Who was detained?
A Salvadoran man, Edgar Hernan Elias Escobar, was taken into custody by immigration officials on his way to work in Malden, Massachusetts, shortly before 6 a.m. on a Wednesday.
Where did the arrest occur?
The incident occurred in the area of 28 Kennedy Drive.
What did family members report?
Leslie Perlera Gonzalez received a distressing call from him while he was heading to his construction job.
What did Perlera Gonzalez allege when she arrived?
Upon arriving at the scene, Perlera Gonzalez reported seeing her husband surrounded by immigration officers.
What were the allegations about use of force?
She alleged that officers smashed his car window and that her husband was heard saying he was being hurt as a Taser was on his face.
What is known about Escobar’s criminal history and immigration status?
Edgar Elias Escobar is 31 years old, has no criminal record, and was in the process of adjusting his immigration status after marrying Perlera Gonzalez last year.
Did ICE use unmarked vehicles?
Perlera Gonzalez alleged that immigration agents used an unmarked car to force her husband’s vehicle off the road before detaining him.
Were there injuries and what medical care was provided?
Malden police reported that Elias Escobar sustained minor injuries during the arrest. He was transported on a stretcher to a hospital in Melrose, where Perlera Gonzalez was not allowed to see him.
Where was he taken after the hospital?
After about one hour at the hospital, he was moved to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facility in Burlington.
What did federal officials say?
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson claimed Elias Escobar was targeted in the ICE operation and reported he suffered no injuries.
What happens next legally?
He is now set to be placed in removal proceedings.
How has the community responded?
Friends and coworkers of Elias Escobar participated in a weekly protest outside the Burlington facility to support his release and that of other detainees.
What concerns have leaders expressed?
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey criticized the recent ICE sweeps, describing them as instilling fear and intimidation in communities and asking why ICE is targeting locations like churches and community centers.
Quick reference table
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Edgar Hernan Elias Escobar |
| Age | 31 years old |
| Location of arrest | 28 Kennedy Drive, Malden, Massachusetts |
| Time of arrest | Shortly before 6 a.m. on a Wednesday |
| Medical care | Transported on a stretcher to a hospital in Melrose; moved to ICE processing facility in Burlington after about one hour |
| Current status | At ICE processing facility in Burlington; set to be placed in removal proceedings |
| Allegations by family | Officers smashed his car window; husband was heard saying he was being hurt as a Taser was on his face; agents used an unmarked car to force vehicle off the road |
| Official statement | DHS spokesperson said he was targeted in the ICE operation and reported he suffered no injuries |
| Enforcement context | ICE has increased arrests in the greater Boston area as part of Operation Patriot 2.0 |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- NBC Boston: ICE FBI Homeland Security Seen Surrounding Pickup Truck in Malden
- Wikipedia: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- Boston Herald: Trump Officials Take Notice of Illegal Immigrant Crackdown in Boston
- Google Search: ICE operations in Malden
- Fall River Reporter: ICE Boston Arrests Salvadoran National
- Google Scholar: ICE enforcement
- Patch: Arrests, Drugs & Break-Ins: Malden Police Log
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration
- NBC Boston: Gov. Healey Demands Answers on ICE Arrest of Mass High School Student
- Google News: Massachusetts Governor Healey ICE statement
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BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
