Governor Abbott rejects Minnesota's demand to hand over ICE officer
Texas Governor Greg Abbott filed a brief denying Minnesota's request that he extradite ICE agent Christian Castro, who is currently detained in Texas.
Minnesota prosecutors allege that ICE agent Christian Castro shot a Venezuelan immigrant after firing through a home’s door and later filed a false report, leading to four second-degree assault charges and one count of false reporting. The state has sought Governor Greg Abbott’s assistance to extradite Castro, claiming the governor’s duties in the case are purely ministerial. Abbott’s legal team countered that Castro’s transfer to Texas was involuntary, meaning he does not qualify as a fugitive and the governor cannot be compelled to act.
The filing described Minnesota’s effort as “doomed to fail.” The dispute will be examined by U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr., a Trump appointee, during a hearing scheduled for Tuesday afternoon in Texas.
Why it matters
The case tests the limits of state authority over federal agents detained across state lines.
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