MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Alberto Castañeda Mondragón, a Mexican immigrant, required hospitalization after suffering serious injuries while in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody earlier this month. Court documents reveal that ICE officials initially asserted that Mondragón had attempted to flee and had injured himself by running into a brick wall. However, medical staff at Hennepin County Medical Center indicated that his injuries, including multiple skull fractures and significant bleeding, were inconsistent with ICE's account. The hospital's personnel found the assertion 'laughable,' emphasizing that there was no way a person could sustain such severe injuries from the described circumstances.
The ongoing situation highlights tensions between immigration enforcement and healthcare workers in Minneapolis. Staff members have expressed discomfort over the presence of ICE agents within hospital facilities, noting that agents have been observed loitering and questioning patients and employees about their citizenship status. Doctors and nurses report feeling intimidated and have adopted secret communication methods to avoid potential surveillance by ICE.
After several days in the hospital, Mondragón was released under a court order, as he remained in critical condition during much of his stay. He and his family describe him as having significant memory loss, and they express concerns about how he will manage without comprehensive support during his recovery. This incident raises critical questions about the treatment of detainees in medical settings and the procedures ICE follows during immigration enforcement actions.
The ongoing situation highlights tensions between immigration enforcement and healthcare workers in Minneapolis. Staff members have expressed discomfort over the presence of ICE agents within hospital facilities, noting that agents have been observed loitering and questioning patients and employees about their citizenship status. Doctors and nurses report feeling intimidated and have adopted secret communication methods to avoid potential surveillance by ICE.
After several days in the hospital, Mondragón was released under a court order, as he remained in critical condition during much of his stay. He and his family describe him as having significant memory loss, and they express concerns about how he will manage without comprehensive support during his recovery. This incident raises critical questions about the treatment of detainees in medical settings and the procedures ICE follows during immigration enforcement actions.
