Earlier this month, Alberto Castañeda Mondragón, a 31-year-old Mexican immigrant, was transported to a Minneapolis hospital after sustaining multiple fractures to his facial bones and skull during his time in federal custody. Initial claims from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents suggested that Castañeda Mondragón, despite being handcuffed, attempted to escape by intentionally striking a brick wall with his head. However, court documents obtained by his attorney, who is advocating for his release, detail these allegations.
Healthcare professionals at Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC), including three nurses familiar with the case, have challenged ICE's account. They observed extensive fractures and bleeding in his brain which, according to them, are incompatible with the described mechanism of injury. One anonymous nurse characterized the federal explanation as implausible, stating, "There was no way this person ran headfirst into a wall." These conflicting narratives reflect the broader tensions emerging between immigration enforcement agents and medical staff at Minneapolis hospitals.
Discrepancies Between Injuries and Official Account
Interviews with a physician and five nurses from HCMC, all requesting anonymity due to hospital policies, revealed concerns about the nature of Castañeda Mondragón's injuries. An independent external medical professional also confirmed that the injuries were inconsistent with an accidental fall or deliberate collision with a wall, suggesting alternative causes.
Throughout the time ICE officials were present at his hospital bedside, their explanations of how the injuries occurred varied. One federal officer reportedly told medical staff that Castañeda Mondragón "got his (expletive) rocked" following his arrest on January 8 near a St. Paul shopping area. This event occurred shortly after two fatal shootings by immigration officers in Minneapolis, intensifying scrutiny of federal enforcement actions.
Repeated attempts to obtain comment from the Department of Homeland Security, the parent agency of ICE, regarding the injuries went unanswered. A deportation officer mentioned in court paperwork that Castañeda Mondragón was found to have a head injury requiring emergency treatment but refrained from elaborating further on the circumstances.
Background on Alberto Castañeda Mondragón
Gregorio Castañeda Mondragón, the injured individual's older brother, described Alberto as originating from Veracruz, Mexico, with a profession as a roofer. Alberto has a 10-year-old daughter in Mexico whom he supports financially. Legal representatives state he legally entered the United States in 2022 and established Castaneda Construction in St. Paul in 2023. Available records indicate he does not have a criminal history.
Legal documents filed on behalf of Castañeda Mondragón allege that he was racially profiled during intensified immigration enforcement efforts. Authorities reportedly identified his visa overstay only after detaining him, highlighting concerns about targeting based on ethnicity and language. His lawyers described him as a "brown-skinned, Latino Spanish speaker" apprehended in an area curated by immigration agents for enforcement action.
Details Surrounding the Injury Incident
Following his arrest, Castañeda Mondragón was initially placed in an ICE processing facility near Minneapolis. Contrary to typical procedure, his arrest warrant was signed by an ICE officer rather than a judge. Approximately four hours post-arrest, he was admitted to an emergency room in Edina, a suburb of Minneapolis, showing swelling, bruising, and bleeding near his right eye. Imaging scans revealed multiple skull fractures and serious hemorrhaging in several brain regions, necessitating transfer to HCMC for advanced care.
At the hospital, Castañeda Mondragón was responsive initially, reporting being dragged and mistreated by federal agents. Despite this, his condition deteriorated rapidly. Court records dated January 16 described him as minimally responsive, confused, and significantly sedated. Over two weeks after his detention, a federal judge mandated his release from ICE custody.
Unexpectedly discharged from the hospital on a Tuesday after prolonged treatment, hospital officials declined to comment on his present status or whereabouts. Subsequently, Department of Justice lawyers confirmed to the court that he was no longer under federal custody.
Gregorio Castañeda Mondragón noted that his brother lacks familial support in Minnesota but is being cared for by colleagues. He faces substantial memory loss and an arduous recovery period, rendering him unable to work imminently. Concerns persist among relatives and friends over the financial burden of his ongoing care, with Gregorio estimating his brother retains only about 20% recollection of prior memories.
Hospital Atmosphere Amid ICE Presence
The presence of ICE officers at the medical facility has been a source of discomfort among hospital staff. Personnel reported observations of detained individuals under ICE arriving seriously injured and agents remaining continuously beside them. Staff expressed unease over armed agents seen roaming hospital grounds, questioning patients and employees for documentation verifying citizenship status. Nurses described feeling intimidated in critical care areas and were advised to avoid certain restrooms to limit encounters.
Healthcare workers have resorted to using encrypted communication platforms to exchange information confidentially due to concerns about possible government surveillance. The hospital has issued protocols emphasizing that ICE personnel lack authority to access patients or protected health information without proper legal authorization. Official policy mandates that restraints such as shackles should only be applied when medically justified.
Despite policies, a physician indicated that federal officers do not always comply fully, escalating tension within the hospital setting. Alisa Harris, a hospital spokeswoman, stated that ICE agents have not actively searched within hospital facilities looking for individuals.