Minnesota’s top law enforcement official has taken the extraordinary step of filing a federal lawsuit against Texas Governor Greg Abbott for refusing to extradite a federal immigration agent charged with shooting an unarmed man and lying about the incident.
Federal Agent Charged After Video Contradicts Testimony
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Christian Castro, 52, faces four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsifying a crime report stemming from a January 14 incident in Minneapolis. Castro allegedly fired his weapon through the front door of a home, striking Venezuelan resident Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in the leg during an immigration enforcement operation. The Trump administration initially claimed agents fired in self-defense after being attacked with a broom and snow shovel. Then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called it an attempted murder of an ICE agent.
Video evidence later emerged that contradicted the federal agents’ sworn testimony. In February, federal prosecutors dropped all charges against Sosa-Celis and his housemate. ICE’s then-Acting Director confirmed two officers appeared to have made untruthful statements under oath. Both agents were placed on administrative leave, and Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty filed state criminal charges against Castro in May, emphasizing that his federal badge does not grant immunity from state prosecution.
Three-Month Standoff Over Extradition
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed the lawsuit Tuesday in federal district court in southern Texas, arguing that Governor Abbott has ignored his mandatory constitutional obligation to transfer Castro for trial. Castro was arrested May 29 in Texas and has remained in custody. Under Texas law, he could be released as soon as next week if Abbott does not approve the extradition within 90 days of detention. Ellison warned that Castro poses a flight risk with connections to Mexico and requested the court bar Cameron County Sheriff from releasing him.
Part of Controversial Immigration Crackdown
The shooting occurred during Operation Metro Surge, an intense immigration enforcement campaign in Minneapolis lasting from December through February. Critics accused federal agents of using escalating tactics including warrantless home searches. Two American citizens died during protests against the operation. Abbott’s office declined to comment on the pending extradition matter. The case has become central to national debates over accountability and use of force during the Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts, raising questions about whether federal agents can be held accountable under state law for actions taken during immigration enforcement operations.
Sources
Aljazeera: Minnesota official sues Texas governor to force ICE agent’s extradition | Migration News
Agent should’ve been f-ing fired!!!
Fired and prosecuted to the full extent of the law!
Abbott “Hot Wheels”Needs to follow the law and allow the extradition.I fully agree with you.
How do you know he wasn’t fired upon first?
Like and totally agree
Maybe donnieboy should deport melinia and ger family first they came here illegally
Trump is a coward, and his wife should be tossed out,under his laws
Your so called source FLAT OUT lied. Melania LEGALLY immigrated.
Never waste your time trying to correct or educate a leftist anti-American sacks of garbage. They ONLY believe what CNN tells them.
Melania has American citizenship. Regardless of what Democarts tend to forget is she had a geen card, applied and took the test and was gained her citizenship in 2006. Since she took the test for citizenship she probably knows more about the Constution than most Americans. Barron has an American father an a naturalized mother and is 100% American, as is his brothers and sisters.
Her parents came to the states and had a permanent green card. However they applied for and was granted American Citizenship in 2018.
They are all legal. Your ignorance is showing.
Yes. Epstein visa.
GROW UP!!
This invader hadn’t slipped in here he wouldn’t have been in that predicament
Maybe Texas should declare itself a sanctuary state for ICE agents.
Right on!
Facts people, facts.
Melani came here legally. You people need to stop watching CNN.
Communist News Network,,,
I think it’s time Minnesota Governor be arrested for theft of Billions of tax payers dollars and his attorney general for lying to congress. Send in the NG and pick them both up and hold then with out bond.
Well if the agent did something wrong since Minnesota’s governor and mayors haven’t ever been he should face up to it. But since the Minnesota governor and mayors haven’t been held accountable for violating immigration laws like the rest who are protecting the illegals .I don’t have much sympathy for them.
Kinda like when ICE ask some places to honor their Detainers and they can’t be bothered and just release the person – what’s good for the goose is good for the gander!
ICE Agents are attacked, shot at, and have had Soros paid people use their cars to try, and run over them. Antifa is paying people to Disrupt the arrests of unvetted illegals whoi have committed murder, rape, and are selling illegal drugs for the Cartel.
If I was an agent, I’d do whatever it takes to survive this thankless job.
No law enforcement officer should have immunity from prosecution.