Immigrant Alleges ICE Officers Beat Him During Minnesota Arrest

Alberto Castañeda Mondragón suffered severe injuries, including skull fractures and brain hemorrhages, during his arrest by ICE agents.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Alberto Castañeda Mondragón, a 31-year-old Mexican immigrant, alleges that he was badly beaten by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during his arrest in Minnesota on January 8. Castañeda Mondragón says he was pulled from a friend's car, thrown to the ground, handcuffed, and then punched and struck with a steel baton, resulting in 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. The government has not responded to requests for comment on the case, and it's unclear if the arrest was captured on body camera footage.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about the use of excessive force by ICE agents, particularly against immigrants who do not have violent criminal records. It raises questions about the accountability and oversight of ICE operations, as well as the medical care provided to detainees who are injured in custody.

The details

According to the report, Castañeda Mondragón was taken into custody by ICE agents outside a shopping center in St. Paul, Minnesota. He says the agents pulled him from a friend's car, threw him to the ground, handcuffed him, and then punched him and struck his head with a steel baton. Castañeda Mondragón was then taken to a detention facility, where he says he was beaten again. He suffered eight skull fractures and five life-threatening brain hemorrhages as a result of the alleged beatings. 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 running into a wall and says the agents used a telescoping baton to strike him, which is considered potentially deadly force when used on the head, neck, or spine.

  • On January 8, 2026, Castañeda Mondragón was arrested by ICE agents in St. Paul, Minnesota.
  • Castañeda Mondragón was taken to the hospital on January 8, 2026, where he was found to have eight skull fractures and five life-threatening brain hemorrhages.

The players

Alberto Castañeda Mondragón

A 31-year-old Mexican immigrant who alleges he was badly beaten by ICE agents during his arrest in Minnesota.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency responsible for Castañeda Mondragón's arrest, which initially claimed he "purposefully ran headfirst into a brick wall" despite medical evidence contradicting this account.

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What they’re saying

“There was never a wall,”

— Alberto Castañeda Mondragón (The Associated Press)

“got his (expletive) rocked,”

— ICE officer (Court documents)

What’s next

It is unclear if Castañeda Mondragón's arrest was captured on body camera footage or if there are additional security camera recordings from the detention facility. The Department of Homeland Security, which includes ICE, has not responded to requests for comment on the case. Castañeda Mondragón plans to file a police report to prompt an investigation, and Minnesota officials have called for accountability and oversight of ICE operations in the state.

The takeaway

This case highlights ongoing concerns about the use of excessive force by ICE agents, particularly against immigrants without violent criminal records. It raises questions about the accountability and oversight of ICE operations, as well as the medical care provided to detainees who are injured in custody. The lack of transparency and the government's initial attempts to downplay Castañeda Mondragón's injuries underscore the need for greater scrutiny and reform of ICE's enforcement practices.