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

Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Texas demanding that Governor Greg Abbott sign an extradition warrant for ICE special-agent Christian Castro. Castro, 52, was arrested in Texas after Minnesota prosecutors charged him with assault and falsifying a report related to a shooting that wounded Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in Minneapolis. Ellison argues that, without extradition, Texas law could allow Castro’s release within the next week, after which he might flee to Mexico.

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The complaint cites a 1987 U.S. Supreme Court decision that obligates states to honor the Constitution’s extradition clause without discretion. Minnesota officials note that Texas has previously extradited three unrelated criminal defendants to the state without incident, suggesting the current request fits established precedent. Castro has been detained for roughly 90 days; prosecutors say he fired a gun through a front door, striking Sosa-Celis’s leg, and then falsely claimed the victims attacked an ICE officer with a broom handle and a snow shovel.

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Ellison told reporters that “Gov. Abbott has received communication with us on an ongoing basis, including recently,” emphasizing the perceived refusal to honor the request. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty described the lawsuit as “a completely unnecessary lawsuit,” noting cooperation from Texas jail officials and prosecutors. Abbott’s office issued a brief statement declining comment on “pending extradition matters,” while Cameron County Sheriff Manny Treviño also declined to comment.

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• “Christian Castro has been charged with breaking the law in Minnesota,” — General Keith Ellison, attorney

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• “Gov. Abbott has received communication with us on an ongoing basis, including recently,” — General Keith Ellison, attorney

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