MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Alberto Castañeda Mondragón's ordeal began with a violent arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minnesota last month. Following the brutal encounter, which left him with eight skull fractures and multiple brain hemorrhages, Castañeda Mondragón recalls minimal details from his past, the violence of his arrest much clearer.
The 31-year-old immigrant described being pulled from a car outside a St. Paul shopping center, beaten, and struck with a steel baton during his arrest. He stated that the actions of the ICE officers were unprovoked, despite the agency's claims that he caused his own injuries by running into a brick wall. Medical staff at Hennepin County Medical Center, however, doubted this explanation, asserting that his injuries were inconsistent with a fall.
Once detained by ICE, Castañeda Mondragón recounted further brutality, where he pleaded for medical assistance only to be met with laughter and more violence. He emphasized that ICE’s use of force was excessive and unwarranted, as he has no prior criminal record connecting him to allegations of violence.
DHS Remains Silent
The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, has not commented on the situation or whether the arrest was captured on body cameras, despite the announcement of a broader rollout of body cameras for immigration officers in Minneapolis. While their only acknowledgment of the incident came in a court filing stating Castañeda Mondragón had a head injury requiring treatment, many questions remain unanswered.
The incident has attracted attention from various Minnesota officials, including Governor Tim Walz, who has called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the violent arrest. The local police department indicated they would examine all reported incidents, encouraging Castañeda Mondragón to file a complaint to initiate an investigation.
Federal representatives expressed growing concern over the conduct of ICE, with multiple officials demanding accountability, echoing sentiments for a push towards reforms in how federal agents handle immigration enforcement. As investigations are called for, the clarity and transparency of ICE's operations continue to be scrutinized amid a backdrop of claims detailing ongoing violence within immigration facilities.
