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U.S. citizen injured after immigration officers mistakenly try to arrest him in Evanston

Sep 21, 2026·Location: Evanston, IL

U.S. citizen injured after immigration officers mistakenly try to arrest him in Evanston
Photo via CBS News

In Evanston, Illinois, federal immigration agents believed to be from ICE attempted to detain an adult resident near Howard Street and Dodge Avenue during what they described as a fugitive investigation, mistaking him for someone else. According to police, the man refused to provide identification, was held for fingerprinting, and resisted, and he was later found on the ground with injuries to his head, neck and teeth; an ambulance took him to St. Francis Hospital, where police photographed and documented his injuries. A witness, Miguel Angel Olivares, recorded the encounter and said agents used 'very rough force' on him. An agent told police he was injured while trying to handcuff the man and had blood on his hands. Agents determined the man was not the person they were seeking and that he was a U.S. citizen, and released him; Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss confirmed he was 'briefly detained and then released.' Evanston's police chief later met with the man at the hospital to offer community resources, and the incident is under investigation by Evanston police, Illinois authorities, and the FBI. Local activists raised concerns about mistaken identity and treatment of Latino residents in the area.

Timeline

Sep 21, 2026Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss confirmed the man was a U.S. citizen who was briefly detained and released; police documented his injuries at the hospital and the police chief met with him.
Sep 21, 2026Evanston police, Illinois authorities, and the FBI opened investigations into the incident; local activists raised concerns about treatment of Latino residents.
Sep 20, 2026Federal agents believed to be from ICE attempted to detain an Evanston man near Howard Street and Dodge Avenue, mistaking him for a fugitive; he refused to provide ID, was held for fingerprinting, resisted, and was injured to his head, neck and teeth.
Sep 20, 2026Witnesses found the man on the ground bleeding; police called an ambulance and he was taken to St. Francis Hospital for treatment.
Sep 20, 2026Agents determined the man was not their intended target and that he was a U.S. citizen, and released him.
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