Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has filed a lawsuit against Texas Governor Greg Abbott, seeking to force the extradition of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent to Minnesota to face assault charges. The legal action aims to compel Abbott to sign an extradition warrant for ICE agent Christian Castro, who is accused of wounding a man during a crackdown in Minneapolis.
Ellison stated that he would also request a temporary restraining order to prevent the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office in Texas from releasing Castro. Under Texas law, Castro could be released next week, 90 days after his detention, and potentially flee the country from the nearby border town if not extradited.
Castro was charged on January 14 with assault and falsely reporting a crime. The criminal complaint alleges that Castro fired a gun at the door of a Minneapolis home, hitting a victim in the leg and a child’s bedroom wall, before providing false information to law enforcement.
"Christian Castro has been charged with breaking the law in Minnesota," Ellison said at a press 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."
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty commented that the lawsuit should have been unnecessary. She noted that local Texas officials and the jail have been cooperative, and Texas has extradited three other defendants to Minnesota without issue since Castro’s arrest. Despite ongoing communication, Ellison said Minnesota authorities have taken the position that Texas is refusing to honor the extradition request.