Salvadoran TPS holder detained nearly two days, $600 cash not returned, files claim
May 25, 2026·Location: East Boston, MA
Country of origin: El Salvador

Jose Pineda, a Salvadoran man with Temporary Protected Status working as a landscaper in East Boston, was stopped by ICE officers while on his way to work. Despite presenting valid Social Security and work authorization cards, agents refused to accept his documents and detained him for nearly two days in an overcrowded holding cell at the ICE Boston Field Office with approximately 50 other people where conditions were poor—he could not sit or sleep and received minimal food and water. His $600 in rent savings was not returned. The detention caused him frequent headaches, anxiety, memory loss, and worsened gastritis. His absence from work resulted in a demotion from lead foreman to assistant. He now experiences recurring nightmares and sleeps separately from his wife out of fear of harming her. He has filed a tort claim against the federal government.
Sources
- After raids, U.S. citizens and immigrants seek millions for shootings, injuries, trauma
Los Angeles Times·May 26, 2026·archived copy
- dnyuz.com
- ‘I still can’t sleep’: East Boston man says he was held by ICE for 2 days despite legal status
boston.com·Aug 6, 2025·archived copy
- East Boston man legally in U.S. arrested by ICE and held for nearly 2 days
- East Boston immigrant pursues ICE complaint over detention
WGBH·Aug 7, 2025·archived copy
- universalhub.com
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