Medical staff at a Minneapolis hospital questioned the explanation provided by federal immigration officers after a Mexican immigrant arrived in their care with severe head injuries, according to court records and interviews conducted by The Associated Press.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers told hospital staff that Alberto Castañeda Mondragón, 31, attempted to flee while handcuffed and struck his head against a brick wall, according to court documents filed by his attorney seeking his release from custody. However, medical personnel at Hennepin County Medical Center determined that the injuries he sustained were not consistent with that explanation, according to three intensive care nurses familiar with the case.
The nurses, who spoke to Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss patient care, said Castañeda Mondragón suffered multiple skull fractures and extensive bleeding in his brain. An outside physician consulted by the AP also stated that the injuries were inconsistent with an accidental fall or collision with a wall.
Castañeda Mondragón was arrested on Jan. 8 near a shopping center in St. Paul, one day after the first of two fatal shootings involving immigration officers in Minneapolis. He was initially taken to an ICE processing facility on the outskirts of Minneapolis, where an arrest warrant was signed by an ICE officer rather than an immigration judge, according to court records.
Approximately four hours after his arrest, Castañeda Mondragón was transported to an emergency room in suburban Edina with swelling, bruising around his right eye, and active bleeding. A CT scan revealed at least eight skull fractures and hemorrhaging in at least five areas of his brain, conditions described in court filings as life-threatening. He was subsequently transferred to Hennepin County Medical Center for intensive care.
Hospital staff said that ICE officers remained at his bedside for several days. According to court records and hospital employees, ICE officers initially insisted on restraining Castañeda Mondragón by shackling his ankles to the hospital bed. Medical staff objected, citing hospital policy that prohibits restraints unless medically necessary.
At the time, nurses said Castañeda Mondragón was severely disoriented, unable to identify the year, and could not recall how he was injured. According to hospital staff and court filings, ICE officers interpreted his attempt to stand and take a few steps as an escape attempt. Medical staff told officers that such behavior is common in patients with traumatic brain injuries.
Hospital security was called to the scene, and the hospital’s chief executive officer and legal counsel discussed how to address the situation. According to staff, an agreement was reached in which a nursing assistant would remain with the patient to prevent him from leaving, after which ICE officers removed the shackles.
Court documents indicate that ICE’s explanation of Castañeda Mondragón’s injuries changed over time. At least one officer reportedly told medical staff that he had been struck during his arrest. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, did not respond to multiple requests for comment from the Associated Press regarding how the injuries occurred. In court filings, an ICE deportation officer stated only that during intake at a detention facility, it was determined that Castañeda Mondragón required emergency medical treatment for a head injury.
According to his brother, Gregorio Castañeda Mondragón, Alberto is from Veracruz, Mexico, and worked as a roofer. He has a 10-year-old daughter in Mexico whom he financially supports. His attorneys stated in court filings that he entered the United States legally in 2022. Minnesota business records show that he founded Castañeda Construction in 2023, listing a St. Paul address.
Court filings indicate that Castañeda Mondragón has no known criminal record. His attorneys argued that he was detained during Operation Metro Surge, a federal immigration enforcement initiative in Minnesota, and that officers determined only after his arrest that he had overstayed his visa.
Following his transfer to Hennepin County Medical Center, Castañeda Mondragón was initially alert and told hospital staff that he had been mistreated by federal agents, according to court documents. His condition later deteriorated, and a Jan. 16 filing described him as minimally responsive, disoriented, and heavily sedated.
In response to repeated encounters with federal agents, hospital administrators issued updated internal protocols stating that patients under federal custody remain patients first and that restraints should not be used unless medically necessary. A physician at the hospital said tensions arise when federal officers do not follow hospital policies.
Hospital spokeswoman Alisa Harris stated that ICE agents “have not entered our facilities looking for individuals.”
On Jan. 25, more than two weeks after his arrest, a U.S. District Court judge ordered Castañeda Mondragón released from ICE custody. Jeanette Boerner, director of Hennepin County Adult Representation Services, which filed the lawsuit on his behalf, said the ruling affirmed that federal officers are subject to the rule of law.
Castañeda Mondragón was discharged from the hospital on Jan. 30. A hospital spokesperson said she had no information regarding his current condition. Court filings from the U.S. Department of Justice confirm that he is no longer in federal custody.
According to his brother, Castañeda Mondragón has no immediate family in Minnesota and is currently staying with coworkers. He is experiencing significant memory loss and faces an extended recovery period. His family and friends have expressed concern about his ability to work and pay for medical care during his rehabilitation.
Join us for our Members Only Roll Call each week!
🚔 CLICK HERE to Become a Cop Talk LIVE Member! https://www.patreon.com/c/coptalklive/membership
🔊 Submit a Tip / Story: https://coptalklive.org/submit-a-tip-story/
About The Author
Discover more from Cop Talk LIVE
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
