EVANSTON, Ill. (Diya TV) — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents mistakenly detained and injured a U.S. citizen in Evanston on Sunday after confusing him with a person they were seeking, police said.
Evanston police responded near Howard Street and Dodge Avenue at about 9:49 a.m. Officers found the man on the ground with injuries to his head, neck and teeth as bystanders assisted him. Police requested an ambulance.
Video from the encounter shows two ICE agents struggling with the man near a black SUV as he repeatedly says he is a U.S. citizen. Another recording shows him lying in the street after the agents returned to their vehicles.
An ICE agent later told Evanston police that officers approached the man because he resembled a fugitive with a Chicago address. The agent said the man refused to provide identification and resisted when officers tried to detain him for fingerprinting.
The agents released the man after determining that he was not their target and confirming his U.S. citizenship, police said.
The Department of Homeland Security said the ICE officers identified themselves and followed their training. DHS said the man refused to cooperate and that officers left after confirming his identity.
An Evanston officer noticed blood on one ICE agent’s hands. The agent said he was injured while trying to handcuff the man and declined medical treatment.
Police Chief Schenita Stewart met the man at a local hospital. An evidence technician photographed his injuries, and investigators began collecting witness recordings, body-camera footage and in-car video.
Evanston police said the investigation remains active. Authorities have not identified the man or the ICE agents involved.
