Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a federal lawsuit on Tuesday against Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, seeking to compel the extradition of ICE agent Christian Castro to face trial in Minnesota. The legal action comes after Abbott refused to honor a formal extradition request from Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz in late May.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, requests a temporary restraining order to prevent the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office in Texas from releasing Castro. It also demands that Abbott sign an extradition warrant, allowing Minnesota authorities to take custody of Castro for trial.
Core Facts of the Case
Castro, a former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, was arrested in Texas on May 29 following charges filed in Minnesota. He faces four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime stemming from an incident on January 14 in Minneapolis. Prosecutors allege Castro fired a gun through the front door of an occupied home, striking Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in the leg. The bullet lodged in a child’s bedroom wall. Authorities further allege Castro falsely claimed Sosa-Celis and another man had attacked an ICE officer with a broom handle and snow shovel.
A Hennepin County District Court judge found probable cause for the charges in May and issued a nationwide arrest warrant. Castro remains detained in Texas pending extradition proceedings, with a 90-day deadline under state law approaching next week.
Legal and Political Responses
Ellison stated in a news conference that Castro must face justice in Minnesota, asserting that Abbott’s refusal to extradite violates the U.S. Constitution’s Extradition Clause, which requires states to deliver suspects wanted in another state upon formal request. Ellison added that Castro’s release from custody is imminent unless extradited, calling the lawsuit necessary to uphold the law.
Texas Officials’ Stance
Abbott’s office declined to comment on the pending extradition matter but referenced earlier remarks made by the governor. Abbott stated he would not respond to Minnesota’s demands until state officials acknowledge and repay alleged fraud in federal programs. He also expressed distrust of Walz, stating, “I don’t trust Tim Walz on anything, let alone something like this.”
Context and Background
Operation Metro Surge, a targeted immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, has been a focal point of the case. Castro was part of this operation when the shooting occurred. The incident has drawn attention amid broader debates over immigration enforcement and the authority of state officials in cross-border legal matters.
Minnesota officials noted that Texas has previously extradited three unrelated criminal defendants to Minnesota without incident, suggesting no procedural barriers exist. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty called the lawsuit unnecessary, stating that extradition requests are typically honored routinely.
Timeline of Key Events
- January 14: Shooting incident in Minneapolis; Sosa-Celis is struck by a bullet fired through a front door.
- May 14: Minnesota prosecutors file charges against Castro.
- May 29: Texas Rangers arrest Castro in Cameron County.
- June 3: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz formally requests extradition from Abbott.
- June 10: Ellison files federal lawsuit to compel extradition.