BROWNSVILLE, Texas — An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer who was charged with shooting a man during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis has been released from a Texas jail. This release occurred after a judge declined to send him back to Minnesota.
Christian Castro was set free early Thursday from a detention center in Brownsville. As he exited, he waved at a few reporters and camera operators before quickly getting into an SUV that then drove away.
A day before, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. noted in his order that he could not stop a local sheriff from releasing Castro, nor could he compel Texas Governor Greg Abbott to sign an extradition warrant for him.
Castro faces charges in Minnesota for assault and for making false statements regarding a shooting incident on January 14 that injured 24-year-old Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis.
Castro alleged to have shot through a door
He allegedly fired a weapon through the front door of a Minneapolis residence, hitting Sosa-Celis in the leg. Prosecutors claim that Castro wrongfully accused Sosa-Celis and another individual of attacking an ICE officer using a broom handle and a snow shovel.
After a nationwide arrest warrant was issued for Castro in May, he was apprehended by authorities, including the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, in Cameron County on May 29.
Since then, Minnesota officials have been trying to secure his extradition, but he remained in custody in Brownsville, which lies near the Mexican border.
Due to Texas law, Castro was required to be released after 90 days if extradition was not finalized, which happened to be on Thursday.
Minnesota authorities fear Castro might attempt to escape to Mexico.
Last week, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison submitted a request for a temporary restraining order to prevent Castro’s release or to ensure his return to Minnesota.
Abbott awaiting findings from state investigation
On Tuesday, Texas attorneys argued that the judge couldn’t make a ruling on a matter that was still being examined. Meanwhile, Governor Abbott has not rejected the extradition but is waiting for the results of a state investigation into whether Castro qualifies as a “fugitive” under the Extradition Clause.
The judge mentioned in a ruling that he could not intervene at this point.
“The Court concludes that it lacks subject matter jurisdiction because the case is not ripe for adjudication,” the judge stated, adding that Minnesota needs to demonstrate a violation has already happened.
There are no specific guidelines in the extradition laws regarding how long the Texas governor has to make a decision, according to the judge.
Ellison indicated that his office would continue to pursue the case but did not clarify the next steps.
In response to the court’s ruling, Abbott’s press secretary, Andrew Mahaleris, expressed approval, emphasizing that the governor must thoughtfully evaluate extradition requests.
Last week, Abbott mentioned he wouldn’t act on the extradition request, pointing to an ongoing investigation into fraudulent activities in Minnesota’s social service programs. This investigation has been cited by former President Trump as part of his rationale for an immigration crackdown.
Minnesota officials are concerned that Castro may leave the country, noting that he made phone calls from jail to a woman in Mexico, discussing plans of marrying her and purchasing a house in Mexico once released.
The judge recognized the possibility of Castro fleeing but remarked that “the threat of injury by itself does not create an issue ripe for adjudication.”
