MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Minnesota Sues Texas Governor to Force Extradition of ICE Agent Charged in Minneapolis Shooting

SAINT PAUL, MN (August 19, 2026) Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to compel Texas Governor Greg Abbott to authorize the extradition of a federal immigration agent charged in connection with a January shooting in Minneapolis.

Christian Castro, an agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, faces four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime. The charges are allegations, and Castro is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

According to the criminal complaint, Castro fired at the front door of an occupied Minneapolis home on January 14 during Operation Metro Surge. A bullet struck a man in the leg before hitting the wall of a child’s bedroom.

Prosecutors also allege that Castro provided investigators with a false account of the shooting. Video and other evidence collected during the investigation allegedly contradicted his description of the confrontation.

Hennepin County prosecutors charged Castro May 18. Texas Rangers arrested him May 29 under a nationwide warrant, and a Cameron County judge ordered him held while Minnesota sought his return.

Governor Tim Walz sent Abbott a formal extradition request June 2. Ellison’s office said the request reached Abbott’s office June 3 but had not been signed as of Tuesday.

The lawsuit asks a federal court to declare Abbott’s refusal to issue the required rendition warrant unconstitutional and unlawful. Minnesota is also requesting an order preventing Cameron County authorities from releasing Castro while the extradition dispute is litigated.

The urgency stems partly from a provision of Texas law requiring Castro’s release after 90 days if the extradition process is not completed. Minnesota officials argue that his release would create a risk that he could leave the jurisdiction before facing the charges.

Ellison’s office said Minnesota and Texas have routinely honored one another’s extradition requests. During the previous five years, Minnesota sought the extradition of 11 people from Texas, with Abbott signing the warrants after an average of approximately 30 days.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said extradition is a required procedural responsibility rather than a discretionary political decision.

Abbott and the other defendants will have an opportunity to respond to Minnesota’s allegations in federal court.

The complaint and supporting information are available through the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office.

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