- A federal judge declined to intervene in the extradition fight over ICE agent Christian Castro, who is detained in Texas and faces charges in Minnesota.
- Judge Fernando Rodriguez, Jr. ruled that Minnesota's lawsuit lacked merit because there was no evidence that Texas Governor Greg Abbott had violated federal law by not extraditing Castro yet.
- Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison vowed to continue litigating, accusing Abbott of 'playing with constitutional fire' and turning Texas into a sanctuary state for violent criminals.
- Minnesota argued Castro posed a flight risk to Mexico due to a romantic relationship, but the judge said that concern alone was not enough to overcome procedural issues.
- Texas has resisted extradition because it disputes that Castro is a 'fugitive', and Abbott's office argued that extradition powers only apply to fugitives.
- Minnesota officials warned Castro may flee the country if released, citing calls he made from jail to a woman in Mexico.
A federal judge has ruled against Minnesota's request to intervene in the extradition of ICE agent Christian Castro, who faces charges stemming from a shooting incident in Minneapolis.12
The judge, Fernando Rodriguez Jr., stated he lacked authority as Texas Governor Greg Abbott has not yet acted on the extradition request made in June.
"The record reflects only that Governor Abbott has neither agreed nor refused to sign the rendition warrant as to Castro," Rodriguez wrote.
Castro, detained in Texas since May 29, faces four felony charges and a misdemeanor for shooting Julio Sosa-Celis during an immigration raid.
Minnesota officials argue that Castro poses a flight risk due to a romantic relationship in Mexico, with Attorney General Keith Ellison stating, "Greg Abbott is turning Texas into a sanctuary state for violent criminals."789
The judge acknowledged the potential hardship on Minnesota's prosecutorial efforts but emphasized that procedural issues prevented him from intervening.
"The threat of injury by itself does not create an issue ripe for adjudication," he noted.
As the 90-day limit for holding Castro without extradition approaches, Abbott's office maintains that the extradition powers only apply to fugitives, complicating the situation further.
Ellison has vowed to continue litigating the case, asserting that Abbott's inaction is a violation of federal law.
The deadline for Castro's potential release is set for Thursday, raising concerns about his possible flight to Mexico.
“Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison vowed to continue litigating, accusing Abbott of 'playing with constitutional fire' and turning Texas into a sanctuary state for violent criminals. The judge noted that Minnesota cannot base claims on the possibility that Abbott might violate extradition laws in the future, as no law requires a decision within a specific time.”
