MINNEAPOLIS - A Mexican immigrant, Alberto Castañeda Mondragón, was recently hospitalized after suffering multiple serious injuries while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The injuries included significant fractures to his skull, contradicting ICE’s claims that he headbutted a wall while restrained.
Medical experts from Hennepin County Medical Center have expressed their disbelief regarding the incident, stating that the injuries do not align with ICE’s explanation of events. According to nurses who treated him, there is no plausible scenario where such extensive injuries would occur from running into a wall.
While the immigration agency suggested Castañeda Mondragón attempted to flee, medical professionals have voiced concerns over the highly publicized agency presence that has reportedly led to tensions within hospitals. As ICE routinely surveils hospitals, nurses have described feeling intimidated due to the presence of armed federal agents, leading to significant changes in hospital protocols regarding patient care and federal oversight.
Castañeda Mondragón, who entered the U.S. lawfully in 2022, had been arrested a day before the incident and is currently recovering from critical injuries. His family expresses concern for his long-term health and has raised worries regarding the financial burden of medical care.
In an unsettling climate for both medical staff and patients, ICE’s aggressive operations have provoked a national dialogue on the intersection of immigration enforcement and health services.
