Archive · 24 Sep 2026
US Citizen Injured After ICE Agents Mistook Him for Fugitive
Five immigration agents were looking for a person with an arrest warrant.
They saw a man in Evanston, Illinois, and thought he was the wanted person.
The man said he was a US citizen and did not show his identification.
The agents tried to handcuff him, and a struggle happened.
Police said the agents later realized they had the wrong person and released him.
The man said his head, neck and teeth were hurt.
A witness said the man had facial injuries and blood on his clothing.
He was taken to a hospital and was treated for what the mayor called minor injuries.
Federal officials said the man was not cooperative, while witnesses and local officials described a forceful encounter.
Five ICE agents searching for a wanted Chicago resident reportedly mistook a US citizen in Evanston for their target.
The agents tried to handcuff the man after he refused to provide identification, and an altercation followed.
The man reported head, neck and teeth injuries and was taken by ambulance to St. Francis Hospital.
A witness said agents pinned the man down and that he had facial swelling, scrapes and blood on his clothing.
DHS said the man resembled the target, refused lawful commands and declined assistance, while local authorities continue investigating.
- Who
- An unidentified US citizen, five Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, Evanston police, witnesses and federal officials were involved.
- What
- ICE agents reportedly mistook the citizen for a wanted fugitive, attempted to handcuff him, and released him after identifying him.
- When
- The encounter occurred on Sunday shortly before 10 a.m.; Evanston police described it in a release issued Wednesday, September 23.
- Where
- Evanston, Illinois, about 12 miles north of downtown Chicago.
- Why
- The agents were conducting a targeted operation to find a Chicago resident who had an arrest warrant.
Local Officials and Witnesses
Federal Agencies
Use of force
Local Officials and Witnesses
Police and witnesses described an altercation in which agents tried to handcuff the man. Ryan Garton said one agent pinned him down, while Michael Lipson said agents wrestled him to the ground.
Federal Agencies
The Department of Homeland Security said the man resembled the target, was given lawful commands and was not cooperative after refusing to identify himself.
The man’s condition
Local Officials and Witnesses
The man reported head, neck and teeth injuries, and witnesses described swelling, scrapes and blood on his clothing. Police photographed his injuries, while the mayor said he received treatment for minor injuries.
Federal Agencies
DHS did not describe the man’s injuries and said the officers offered him assistance, which he refused.
Events after identification
Local Officials and Witnesses
Local police said the agents released the man after realizing he was a US citizen and not the fugitive; a police release said an agent cited concerns about protesters attacking them.
Federal Agencies
DHS said the officers left without further incident after the man identified himself.
- Location
- Evanston, Illinois
- People involved
- Five ICE agents and an unidentified US citizen
- Reported injuries
- Head, neck and teeth injuries; witnesses also described facial swelling and scrapes
- Hospital
- St. Francis Hospital
- Witness accounts
- Ryan Garton and Michael Lipson said agents pinned or wrestled the man to the ground
- Local investigation
- Evanston police visited the man, photographed his injuries and are investigating
- Federal account
- The Department of Homeland Security said the man resembled the target, refused lawful commands and declined offered assistance
