Alberto Castañeda Mondragón, a 31-year-old Mexican immigrant, recently recounted a traumatic experience involving violence from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minnesota. Following a beating, he struggled to remember fundamental details about his life, including his daughter and cherished memories, such as teaching her to dance.
On January 8, 2023, Castañeda Mondragón was pulled from a friend's car outside a shopping center in St. Paul by ICE agents, who brutally restrained and assaulted him. He described being handcuffed, thrown to the ground, punched, and struck in the head with a steel baton, leading to severe injuries, including eight skull fractures and five life-threatening brain hemorrhages.
After the incident, he was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center, where he remained disoriented for several days, constantly monitored by ICE officers. Despite the agents’ claim that he had “purposefully run headfirst into a brick wall,” medical professionals expressed skepticism about this explanation, as the injuries were inconsistent with a fall. A doctor informed that his head trauma was far more severe than such an incident would imply.
While detained at the ICE facility in Ft. Snelling, Castañeda Mondragón faced more violence. He pleaded with the officers to stop, but they continued to beat him, displaying racist behavior toward him. Despite the severe nature of his injuries, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not commented on the circumstances of his detention or subsequent injuries.
Video footage from witnesses captured him stumbling and being held by ICE agents immediately after his arrest. Comments from bystanders indicated a clear concern for his safety, including remarks about his evident injuries. ICE officers later described the situation in crude terms, downplaying the severity of Castañeda Mondragón’s condition.
Following his emergency treatments, he was hospitalized for over a week, where his condition fluctuated from minimally responsive to gradually recovering. As he began to regain consciousness, he struggled with memory loss, affecting his ability to recognize his daughter, whom he left in Mexico. Their phone calls revealed heartbreaking gaps in his memory of past experiences, including parenting milestones.
Castañeda Mondragón’s situation has gained significant attention, prompting calls for investigations from Minnesota lawmakers and community leaders. The Ramsey County Attorney's Office has encouraged him to file a police report in an effort to prompt a formal inquiry into the incident. While he has plans to file a complaint, Castañeda Mondragón has expressed concern for his future, particularly regarding his ability to work and support his family back home.
His return to health will demand extensive rehabilitation, and with the long-term effects of his traumatic brain injuries, Castañeda Mondragón now faces significant challenges in his day-to-day life, including balance and coordination issues. He has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to assist with medical expenses and sustain his family, outlining a deep longing to provide for them again, while also expressing gratitude for the support he has received from the local community.
Despite the adversity and trauma he experienced, Castañeda Mondragón remains hopeful for his future in the U.S., differentiating between the kindness of many Minnesota residents and the hostile actions of the ICE officers who harmed him. However, the traumatic memories of his assault continue to haunt him, sowing fear and anxiety regarding future interactions with law enforcement.
