Salvadoran man arrested by ICE in Chelsea, Massachusetts amid homicide extradition case
Sep 2, 2026·Location: Chelsea, MA
Country of origin: El Salvador

ICE Boston arrested Leonel Santos-Diaz, a twice-deported migrant from El Salvador, during targeted immigration enforcement operations in Chelsea, Massachusetts. ICE alleged he is wanted in El Salvador on charges including aggravated homicide, human trafficking, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest, and is a suspect in an aggravated robbery investigation there. Authorities said he illegally entered the U.S. to evade prosecution. An ICE official criticized Massachusetts' 'Protect Act' sanctuary law for allegedly shielding him from arrest and deportation.
Sources
- ICE Boston arrests foreign fugitive wanted for aggravated homicide in El Salvador
ice.gov·Sep 18, 2026·archived copy
- ICE Boston arrests twice-deported foreign fugitive wanted for homicide, human trafficking - Fall River Reporter
fallriverreporter.com·Sep 20, 2026·archived copy
- From Baltimore to Boston to Chicago, ICE arrests violent fugitives, war criminals - Beecher Local
beecherlocal.com·Sep 29, 2026
- newbedfordguide.com
Sep 17, 2026
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