Migrant Suffers Severe Injuries While in ICE Custody

Medical staff dispute ICE's account that the man ran into a wall, citing his extensive injuries as inconsistent with that claim.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 5:31pm

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A Mexican immigrant named Alberto Castaneda Mondragon was taken to a Minneapolis hospital earlier this month after suffering severe injuries, including multiple skull fractures and brain hemorrhages, while in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICE initially claimed that Castaneda Mondragon had tried to flee while handcuffed and "purposefully ran headfirst into a brick wall." However, medical staff at Hennepin County Medical Center determined that his injuries were far too severe to have been caused by running into a wall, and they disputed ICE's account of what happened.

Why it matters

This case raises concerns about the treatment of immigrants in ICE custody and the credibility of the agency's explanations for injuries sustained by detainees. It also highlights the importance of independent medical evaluations to determine the true causes of such injuries, which can have significant implications for the well-being and legal status of the individuals involved.

The details

According to court documents, Castaneda Mondragon, a 31-year-old from Mexico, was arrested near a shopping center in St. Paul on January 8th. He was initially taken to an ICE processing center, and about four hours later, he was taken to a hospital emergency room in Edina with swelling and bruising around his right eye and bleeding. A CT scan revealed at least eight skull fractures and life-threatening hemorrhages in at least five areas of his brain. He was then transferred to Hennepin County Medical Center, where staff members determined that his injuries were far too severe to have been caused by running into a wall, as ICE had claimed. At least one ICE officer reportedly told hospital staff that Castaneda Mondragon "got his [expletive] rocked" after his arrest.

  • Castaneda Mondragon was arrested on January 8, 2026 near a shopping center in St. Paul.
  • About four hours after his arrest, Castaneda Mondragon was taken to a hospital emergency room in Edina.
  • On January 21, 2026, a U.S. District Court judge ordered Castaneda Mondragon's release from ICE custody.
  • Castaneda Mondragon was discharged from the hospital on January 24, 2026.

The players

Alberto Castaneda Mondragon

A 31-year-old Mexican immigrant who was taken into custody by ICE and suffered severe injuries, including multiple skull fractures and brain hemorrhages, while in their custody.

Gregorio Castaneda Mondragon

The younger brother of Alberto Castaneda Mondragon, who said his brother has no family in Minnesota and that co-workers have taken him in after his release from the hospital.

Hennepin County Medical Center

The hospital where Castaneda Mondragon was treated, where medical staff disputed ICE's account of how he was injured and determined that his injuries were far too severe to have been caused by running into a wall.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that took Castaneda Mondragon into custody and initially claimed that he had tried to flee while handcuffed and "purposefully ran headfirst into a brick wall."

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What they’re saying

“It was laughable, if there was something to laugh about. There was no way this person ran headfirst into a wall.”

— Unnamed nurse, Nurse at Hennepin County Medical Center

“He was a brown-skinned, Latino Spanish speaker at a location immigration agents arbitrarily decided to target.”

— Castaneda Mondragon's lawyers

What’s next

Castaneda Mondragon's lawyers are working to ensure he receives the necessary medical care and support during his recovery, which is expected to be lengthy due to the severity of his injuries. The Department of Homeland Security, which includes ICE, has not responded to repeated requests for comment on Castaneda Mondragon's case.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the treatment of immigrants in ICE custody, as well as the importance of independent medical evaluations to determine the true causes of injuries sustained by detainees. It also raises concerns about potential racial profiling and the use of excessive force by immigration enforcement agents.