Edgar Hernan Elias Escobar, an immigrant originally from El Salvador, was detained by ICE agents in the city of Malden, Massachusetts, on September 17. The incident occurred as the 33-year-old man was heading to work in the morning.

According to security videos and witness statements, the agents surrounded his vehicle, broke the truck window, and forcibly removed him. Escobar suffered minor injuries and was later transferred to the Plymouth County Correctional Center, according to his wife, attorney Leslie Perlera Gonzalez.

An alarming case of excessive force: Edgar Elias

According to what Perlera Gonzalez revealed to Newsweek, she was on a video call with Edgar when the ICE operation began in the middle of a public street, which was also recorded by surveillance cameras in the area.

In the images, shared by WCVB Boston, you can see how the agents, some of them hooded, surround Escobar's truck. When he didn't open the doors, the officers proceeded to break the side window and struggle to get him out of the vehicle.

Escobar was pinned to the ground and handcuffed in front of bystanders. His wife told GBH News that the procedure included the use of a Taser, which was discharged several times but malfunctioned and did not harm Edgar. Perlera also stated that the process was "violent and unnecessary," since he did not pose a risk. After the incident, he required medical attention for injuries sustained in the struggle.

What did ICE say about the case?

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a statement stating that Escobar refused to cooperate during the operation. According to the agency, the immigrant "did not respond to orders to roll down his window" and for that reason "the minimum force necessary" was used to proceed with the arrest.

ICE also explained that Escobar had an active deportation order, which led to his arrest. The agency emphasized that its officers acted under established protocols and denied that this was an unusual procedure. However,it did not offer details about why Escobar's case was considered a priority at this time.

Escobar's Life in the United States and the Future of His Case

Edgar Hernan Elias Escobar arrived in the United States several years ago from El Salvador. He lived in Malden with his wife, Leslie Perlera Gonzalez, a US citizen and attorney, with whom he was in a pending process to adjust his immigration status.

According to Perlera, they have been married for over a year, which prompted the attorney to file the I-130 petition for a foreign relative on his behalf to establish their legal relationship.

Now his immigration status faces a complex scenario: with an active deportation order, he could be removed from the country in the coming weeks. However, his marriage to a US citizen allows him to keep the legal path open to requesting regularization, although the process could be lengthy. Friends and family started a fundraiser for Edgar, which has already raised more than $15,000.

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