Texas Governor Blocks Extradition of ICE Agent Wanted in Minnesota

Christian Castro, 52, was released from the Cameron County jail at dawn, ending a three-month detention following his May 29 arrest. He faces four felony counts of second-degree assault and a misdemeanor charge for allegedly filing a false report. Prosecutors in Hennepin County contend that Castro fired through a residential front door on January 14, wounding 24-year-old Venezuelan immigrant Julio César Sosa-Celis. While Castro initially claimed the victim attacked officers with household items, investigators assert that surveillance footage and physical evidence directly contradict his account.

U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr., a Trump appointee, declined to block the release or force Governor Abbott to sign the extradition warrant, ruling that the court lacks authority to compel gubernatorial action at this stage. Abbott has framed the refusal as a political response to Minnesota’s immigration policies, even attempting to link the extradition to broader demands regarding federal enforcement transparency. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison condemned the move, labeling it a failure of constitutional duty and accusing the Texas governor of creating a sanctuary for violent offenders. Abbott responded by dismissing the legal arguments presented by Minnesota officials, signaling that the confrontation over federal-state jurisdiction remains deadlocked.