Mexican Immigrant Alleges ICE Officers Beat Him During Minnesota Arrest

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Alberto Castañeda Mondragón, a 31-year-old Mexican immigrant, alleges that he was severely beaten by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers during an arrest in Minnesota on January 8. Castañeda Mondragón says the officers pulled him from a car, threw him to the ground, handcuffed him, and then punched him and struck his head with a steel baton, causing eight skull fractures and five life-threatening brain hemorrhages. ICE initially claimed Castañeda Mondragón "purposefully ran headfirst into a brick wall," but medical staff immediately doubted this account. Castañeda Mondragón denies this and says the officers used a telescoping baton to strike him, which is considered potentially deadly force when used on the head or neck.

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns about the use of excessive force by ICE agents, particularly against immigrants who do not have violent criminal records. It also raises questions about transparency and accountability, as the Department of Homeland Security has not responded to requests for comment on the incident, and it is unclear whether any body camera or security camera footage exists. The case has drawn the attention of elected officials in Minnesota, who are calling for a full investigation and demanding that federal agents be held to the same standards of accountability as local police.

The details

According to the report, Castañeda Mondragón was taken into custody by ICE agents outside a shopping center in St. Paul, Minnesota on January 8. He says the agents pulled him from a friend's car, threw him to the ground, handcuffed him, and then proceeded to punch him and strike his head with a steel baton. Castañeda Mondragón was then taken to an ICE detention facility, where he says the beating continued. He suffered eight skull fractures and five life-threatening brain hemorrhages as a result of the alleged assault. ICE initially claimed Castañeda Mondragón "purposefully ran headfirst into a brick wall," but medical staff immediately doubted this account, and a doctor told the AP that the injuries were inconsistent with a fall. Castañeda Mondragón denies the ICE account and says the officers used a telescoping baton to strike him, which is considered potentially deadly force when used on the head or neck.

• The incident occurred on January 8, 2026.
• Castañeda Mondragón was hospitalized following the incident.

What they’re saying

What’s next

It is unclear whether Castañeda Mondragón's arrest was captured on body camera footage or if there are additional security camera recordings from the detention center. The Department of Homeland Security, which includes ICE, has not responded to requests for comment on the case. Elected officials in Minnesota, including the governor and members of Congress, are calling for a full investigation into the incident and demanding accountability for the alleged use of excessive force.