Minnesota Sues Texas Governor to Force Extradition of ICE Agent

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has filed a lawsuit against Texas Governor Greg Abbott, demanding the extradition of a federal immigration agent charged in connection with a shooting in Minneapolis.

The legal action, announced on Tuesday, targets Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent Christian Castro. Castro faces charges of assault and falsely reporting a crime in the January 14 shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, who survived the incident.

Ellison stated that he will request a temporary restraining order to prevent the Cameron County Sheriff's Office in Texas from releasing Castro. The order would also require Abbott to sign an extradition warrant, allowing Minnesota law enforcement to take Castro into custody.

Castro was arrested 11 days after prosecutors in Minneapolis filed charges against him. According to Ellison, under Texas law, Castro could be released from jail next week—90 days after his detention—unless he is extradited to Minnesota.

"Christian Castro has been charged with breaking the law in Minnesota," Ellison said at a news conference. "He must face justice in Minnesota. Gov. Abbott should have granted Gov. Walz's extradition request long ago and is required to do so now."

Ellison added, "Christian Castro is not above the law and Greg Abbott isn't either."

The lawsuit escalates a standoff between the two states over the handling of the case, with Minnesota officials insisting that Castro face trial in the state where the alleged crime occurred.