Alberto Castañeda Mondragón, a 31-year-old Mexican immigrant, has accused agents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of assaulting him during his arrest on January 8 in St. Paul, Minnesota.
According to Castañeda Mondragón's account to The Associated Press (AP), the incident left him with eight skull fractures and five brain hemorrhages, posing a significant threat to his life.
Due to the severity of his injuries, Castañeda Mondragón's memory was so impaired that he couldn't recall having a daughter and is still struggling to recover personal memories. Meanwhile, the violence of that day remains "etched" in his mind, as per the report.
A CT scan revealed fractures in the front, back, and both sides of the skull, injuries that a doctor cited by AP stated were inconsistent with a fall.
The immigrant claims that the agents struck him with a tool he later identified as an ASP (telescopic baton).
Castañeda Mondragón recounted being pulled from a friend's car after shopping, handcuffed, then allegedly beaten and injured on the head with a steel baton.
He added that he was taken to a detention center where—he claims—he was beaten again.
AP reports that he spent days disoriented at the Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) in Minneapolis, under constant surveillance by officers.
Later, according to court records cited by AP, he was moved to the emergency room and then to a Minneapolis medical center, where he described being "dragged and mistreated by federal agents."
A week after his hospitalization, staff noted that he was minimally responsive, and he was allowed to speak on the phone with his 10-year-old daughter, whom he did not remember.
The report states he was discharged from the hospital on January 27.
Castañeda Mondragón arrived in Minnesota in 2022 on a temporary work visa and found employment as a driver and roofer.
His earnings support his elderly father, who is disabled and diabetic, and his 10-year-old daughter.
Mounting Social Unrest in Minneapolis
In early 2026, Minneapolis became the epicenter of growing social unrest following a series of violent operations by ICE that led to multiple clashes and protests.
On January 14, a shooting incident that injured a woman named Renee Nicole Good sparked severe criticism over the excessive use of force and triggered a wave of demonstrations against federal agents.
Streets were filled with outraged citizens condemning abuses and demanding the immediate halt of immigration raids, while the federal government increased its presence by deploying an additional thousand agents.
Amidst this tension, a national study revealed that more than half of Americans believe that ICE operations make cities less safe and reflect structural issues within the agency. Only 26% rated the use of force in the Minnesota case as "appropriate," while 56% deemed it unjustified.
The survey also indicated rising public dissatisfaction with the Trump administration's immigration policy, especially among urban and Latino communities, who perceive ICE actions as a threat to civil rights and public safety.
Frequently Asked Questions about ICE Operations
What injuries did Alberto Castañeda Mondragón sustain during his arrest?
Alberto Castañeda Mondragón suffered eight skull fractures and five brain hemorrhages, which posed a significant threat to his life.
How did the public react to the ICE operations in Minneapolis?
The public reacted with outrage, leading to protests and criticism over the excessive use of force. A national study showed that more than half of Americans believe ICE operations make cities less safe.
What was the outcome of the national study regarding ICE's impact on safety?
The study revealed that more than 50% of Americans think ICE operations reduce city safety, while only 26% found the use of force in Minnesota appropriate.