A Terrifying Encounter at a Minnesota Gas Station
On a cold January morning in St. Paul, Minnesota, Orbin Mauricio Henríquez Serrano faced a nightmare scenario that has become all too familiar for immigrants in the Twin Cities. As he sat in his car at a Speedway gas station, preparing for his shift as a cook and assistant manager at a local tavern, he noticed immigration agents surrounding his vehicle. The scene that unfolded next would be captured on video and viewed by millions, sparking widespread concern about Border Patrol tactics.
The Violent Arrest and Its Aftermath
Henríquez Serrano recalls agents asking about his citizenship status before he could even respond properly. "They didn't know who I was, really — until, I think, they scanned the license plates of my vehicle," he explained in Spanish. What followed was a violent confrontation where agents:
- Shattered his car window with a hammer
- Physically dragged him from his Jeep Cherokee
- Pressed him against the ground until he lost consciousness
- Called him derogatory names in Spanish
The incident occurred under the supervision of Greg Bovino, the roving Border Patrol commander assigned to the Twin Cities who has become known for targeting gas stations in immigrant neighborhoods.
Detention in Controversial Facilities
After regaining consciousness in an unmarked van, Henríquez Serrano found himself detained at the Whipple Federal Building before being transferred to what detainees call "Camp East Montana" — one of several tent camp facilities that critics have dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz" knockoffs. His experience there was harrowing:
- He spent 11 hours in shackles during transport
- Received minimal medical attention for his injuries
- Endured poor hygiene conditions with no privacy between cells
- Never spoke to an attorney or ICE representative
"If there were a pandemic in this place, everyone would die because there is no way to be isolated from others," he described of the facility where multiple deaths have occurred since December.
A Life Upended After Six Years in America
Henríquez Serrano had built a quiet life in Minnesota over six years, working steadily and enjoying simple pleasures like playing video games and supporting Minnesota United Football Club. He had attempted to apply for asylum in 2019, fleeing gang violence in Honduras, but was kidnapped in Mexico during the process. Despite having no criminal record beyond a speeding ticket, he was deported based on what the Trump administration called a 2020 deportation order — something he claims he was never notified about.
Official Response and Ongoing Concerns
The Department of Homeland Security defended the actions, with spokesperson Tricial McLaughlin stating that "authority under USC 1357 and of course reasonable suspicion are protected by the U.S. Constitution." She denied racial profiling occurs and claimed ICE facilities provide "the best healthcare than many aliens have received in their entire lives."
Meanwhile, Henríquez Serrano now faces uncertainty back in Honduras, worried about his safety after years away. He hopes Americans understand that immigrants like him "feed them, build their homes and contribute to society" despite political rhetoric suggesting otherwise. The protests he witnessed in Minnesota gave him hope that "they are the voice that we Latinos have to suppress because of fear."
