Minnesota Attorney General Sues Texas Governor to Force Extradition of ICE Agent

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison sued Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday, asking a federal court to compel the governor to sign an extradition warrant for ICE agent Christian Castro. Castro, 52, was arrested in Texas on Minnesota charges of assault and filing a false report after a Jan. 14 shooting that wounded Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in Minneapolis.

Ellison told a news conference that, under Texas law, Castro could be released from jail within days unless extradited, and warned that the agent might flee to Mexico. He added that court records show Castro had been calling a woman in Mexico from jail, discussing marriage and buying a house there.

"Christian Castro has been charged with breaking the law in Minnesota. 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 said.

The lawsuit cites a 1987 Supreme Court decision that obligates states to comply with the Constitution’s extradition clause without discretion. Texas officials declined to comment on the pending matter, while Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty called the suit “completely unnecessary,” noting that Texas jail officials have been cooperative and have previously extradited three unrelated defendants to Minnesota without incident.

Authorities say Castro fired through a front door, striking Sosa-Celis in the leg, then falsely alleged that Sosa-Celis and another man attacked an ICE officer with a broom handle and a snow shovel. Federal charges against the victims were later dismissed, prompting a Justice Department investigation into the agents’ statements.