Federal judge denies Minnesota's request to keep ICE agent Christian Castro detained in Texas

A federal judge on Wednesday denied Minnesota's emergency request for a temporary restraining order that would have barred the release of ICE agent Christian Castro from Cameron County Jail. U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. said the state had not met the legal requirements for such an order and noted that Texas Governor Greg Abbott had neither approved nor rejected a rendition warrant for Castro.

Under Texas law, Castro's 90-day detention expires Thursday. Sheriff Manuel Trevino’s counsel told the court that without a court order or a warrant signed by the governor, the detainee must be released. The judge found the case premature because Abbott had not yet taken definitive action on the extradition request.

Castro faces four felony counts of second-degree assault and one misdemeanor count of false reporting related to a January ICE operation in Minnesota, in which he fired a shot through a closed door, injuring a person’s leg. Minnesota officials had warned that Castro might flee to Mexico, where he reportedly has a romantic partner, complicating any future prosecution.

Governor Abbott’s office praised the decision, stating that the Constitution requires the governor to consider extradition requests based on satisfactory evidence. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison responded that the ruling would not prevent Castro from facing charges in the state.

The matter now rests with Governor Abbott, who can issue a rendition warrant or allow Castro’s release pending further legal action.