Man mistaken for fugitive beaten and detained by ICE agents in Evanston, hospitalized
Oct 4, 2026·Location: Evanston, IL

A man walking to a pharmacy in Evanston, Illinois, to fill a prescription was tackled and detained by federal agents believed to be ICE after being mistaken for a fugitive near Dodge Avenue and Howard Street. Witnesses, including Miguel Angel Olivares, recorded video showing agents using force, pinning him down and appearing to strike him as he repeatedly stated he was a U.S. citizen. He suffered injuries to his head, neck and teeth, bled at the scene, and was taken by Evanston Fire Department ambulance to St. Francis hospital for treatment. A paramedic and police officer at the scene expressed shock that agents drove away while he lay in the street. DHS said the man was uncooperative and declined assistance, while an ICE supervisor told Evanston police agents left because protesters began gathering. Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss confirmed the detention and release, while local police, eyewitnesses, and the group Sanctuary Evanston disputed DHS's account, calling it a violent assault. Evanston police, Illinois authorities, and the FBI are investigating, with body camera footage and 911 audio being reviewed.
Timeline
Sources
- Man shot by ICE in Austin being held in detention center with bullet in his back, lawyer says
- Illinois authorities investigate possible ICE wounding of US citizen
The Guardian·Sep 21, 2026
- The Hill
- What we know after officials say ICE detained a US citizen and left him injured in Chicago suburb
CNN·Sep 24, 2026
- US citizen injured after ICE agents reportedly mistook him for fugitive
The Guardian·Sep 24, 2026
- ICE Is Everywhere and Acting with Impunity
The New Yorker·Oct 4, 2026
- Evanston man hurt after federal agents mistakenly targeted him, police say
nbcchicago.com·Sep 21, 2026·archived copy
- Federal agents detained U.S. citizen Sunday morning - Evanston Now
evanstonnow.com·Sep 21, 2026
- Evanston Police Investigate Mistaken Identity Incident Involving ICE
mercadonews.com·Sep 21, 2026
- Press Release: Evanston Police Conduct Follow-Up on Incident Involving Federal Agents
- Illinois ICE Investigation: US Citizen Injured During Detention
- ICE mistakenly targets US citizen who was left injured on the ground in Chicago suburb, officials say - Boston News, Weather, Sports
WHDH·Sep 23, 2026
- US citizen’s detainment by federal immigration agents sparks outcry
dailynorthwestern.com·Sep 23, 2026
- Evanston man, a U.S. citizen, injured in Sunday confrontation with U.S. immigration officers
Chicago Sun-Times·Sep 21, 2026
- Audio recording of 911 call in ICE incident released - Evanston Now
evanstonnow.com·Oct 4, 2026
More incidents in Illinois
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- Fear of ICE raids cost Chicago-area businesses $1.26 billion, study findsSep 8, 2026 · Chicago, IL
- Two men detained as ICE raids Illinois factory without warrantSep 3, 2026 · McCook, IL
- Illinois man injured, detained in Evanston after ICE mistook him for fugitiveSep 1, 2026 · IL