Case: Fuentes v. United States
1:26-cv-05737 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Filed Date: May 18, 2026
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
Case Summary
This case challenged federal immigration enforcement agents' alleged use of excessive force, including physical assault and false arrest, against an elected Chicago Alderperson during a large-scale operation that resulted in over 1,000 arrests and at least one fatality.
On May 18, 2026, a duly elected Alderperson of Chicago’s 26th Ward filed suit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against the United States of America, acting through its agencies—U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—along with federal law enforcement agents employed by those entities. The complaint arose from an October 3, 2025, incident during Operation Midway Blitz, a federal immigration enforcement action in Chicago that allegedly involved military-style tactics, including the use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and excessive force.
According to the plaintiff, Humboldt Park Health Hospital employees requested her presence at the hospital as federal agents entered the emergency room without invitation, and allegedly injured one of her constituents. Upon entering the hospital, the plaintiff claimed she identified herself as an elected official and asked the agents if they had a warrant for the arrest of the patient. Despite this and the absence of any legal violation, the agents allegedly responded with verbal abuse, physically shoving her, forcibly restraining her arms behind her back, handcuffing her with metal cuffs, and removing her from the premises under threat of criminal charges. The plaintiff claimed these actions caused her significant physical, psychological, and emotional harm, including shoulder pain, sleep disturbances, nightmares, anxiety, and emotional distress. Invoking the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), the complaint asserted eight counts, including assault, battery, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, false arrest, false imprisonment, and gross negligence under both federal and Illinois law. The plaintiff alleged the agents’ conduct was non-discretionary and lacked any public policy justification, further contending their actions constituted extreme and outrageous behavior beyond all bounds of decency. The plaintiff framed the incident as part of a broader pattern of excessive force during the operation. She sought compensatory damages, costs, and attorney’s fees. The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Charles P. Kocoras. The plaintiff is represented by the People’s Law Office (PLO) in Chicago, a public interest law firm.
This case remains ongoing.
Summary Authors
Madeline Dollard (6/29/2026)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73355335/parties/fuentes-v-united-states/
Kocoras, Charles Petros (Illinois)
Susler, Janis M. (Illinois)
Chicago, AUSA - (Illinois)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73355335/fuentes-v-united-states/
Last updated Aug. 30, 2026, 3:12 a.m.
Docket for: Fuentes v. United States
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: May 18, 2026
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Plaintiff is a duly elected Alderperson of Chicago’s 26th Ward.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Federal
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
United States of America
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), 28 U.S.C. § 2674
Other Dockets:
Northern District of Illinois 1:26-cv-05737
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Immigration/Border:
Policing:
Restraints : physical (policing)
Case Summary of Fuentes v. United States, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/48261/ (last updated 6/29/2026).