Judge denies Minnesota request to extradite ICE agent from Texas

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On Wednesday, a federal judge denied Minnesota’s request to compel Texas Governor Greg Abbott to immediately extradite ICE agent Christian Castro, who faces assault and false reporting charges related to the January 14 shooting of Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in Minneapolis. Castro had been held in a Texas jail since May 29, but the court ruled that Texas law does not mandate an immediate handover and that Governor Abbott had not officially refused the request. The ruling allows for Castro’s release on Thursday upon the expiration of a 90-day detention limit, as the judge concluded that potential flight risks did not supersede current legal requirements.

Consequences

Christian Castro is expected to be released from custody on Thursday as the 90-day state detention limit expires. The release may further strain political relations between the administrations of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Texas Governor Greg Abbott regarding the handling of immigration enforcement actions.

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