Minnesota Sues Texas Governor to Bring Accused ICE Agent to Justice
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has filed a lawsuit against Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Mr. Ellison wants Governor Abbott to transfer a federal immigration agent to Minnesota. This agent faces serious charges related to a shooting incident.
The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday. Attorney General Ellison says Governor Abbott must transfer Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent Christian Castro. Mr. Castro needs to stand trial in Minnesota for his alleged actions.
Agent Castro is accused of shooting and injuring Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis. The incident happened on January 14 during an immigration operation in Minneapolis. Officials allege Mr. Castro fired a gun into Mr. Sosa-Celis’s front door. Mr. Sosa-Celis was hit in the leg.
Initially, federal officials claimed the agents fired in self-defense. They said Mr. Sosa-Celis and two others attacked officers with a broom and snow shovel. Then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem even called it an “attempted murder” of an agent.
However, video evidence emerged that contradicted the agents’ claims. Federal prosecutors then dropped all charges against Mr. Sosa-Celis and his housemate in February. ICE later confirmed that Agent Castro and another agent appeared to have lied about the incident. Both officers were placed on administrative leave.
In May, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office charged Agent Castro. He faces four counts of second-degree assault. He also faces one count of falsely reporting a crime. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said Agent Castro’s federal badge does not make him above state law. He must face charges for his conduct in Minnesota.
Agent Castro was arrested in Texas on May 29. He has remained in detention there since his arrest. Attorney General Ellison is worried that Texas officials, including Governor Abbott, might seek Mr. Castro’s release. Governor Abbott is known as an ally of former President Donald Trump.
Under Texas law, Agent Castro could be released from custody as early as next week. This would be 90 days after his arrest, if Governor Abbott does not agree to his extradition. Mr. Ellison described Agent Castro as a flight risk. He said Mr. Castro has connections to Mexico and had thought about going there.
Governor Abbott’s office told The Associated Press they would not comment on “pending extradition matters.”
The shooting of Mr. Sosa-Celis has raised questions about using deadly force. This was during immigration enforcement operations. The Minneapolis area was the focus of a strong campaign called “Operation Metro Surge.” This campaign saw very aggressive tactics from immigration officials.
