Key facts
- An ICE agent, Christian Castro, is accused of shooting a Venezuelan man in Minneapolis.
- Castro faces charges in Minnesota including assault and falsely reporting a crime.
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott has refused to extradite Castro to Minnesota.
- Minnesota's Attorney General Keith Ellison has sued Governor Abbott over the extradition dispute.
- Castro is nearing the end of a 90-day detention period in Texas, after which he could be released.
- A federal judge is considering whether to intervene in Castro's potential release.
A dispute has emerged between Texas and Minnesota over the extradition of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, Christian Castro, who is accused of shooting a Venezuelan man in January. Castro faces charges in Minnesota, including assault and falsely reporting a crime, for allegedly firing a gun through a Minneapolis home's door and then falsely accusing the victim and another man of attacking him. Minnesota authorities have been seeking Castro's extradition since his arrest in Texas, but Texas Governor Greg Abbott has refused the request. Abbott cited ongoing investigations into fraud within Minnesota's government social service programs as justification for his stance. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has filed a lawsuit against Abbott, arguing that Texas's actions are unlawful and seeking to prevent Castro's release. Castro is currently held in Brownsville, Texas, and is nearing the end of a 90-day detention period, after which he could be released under Texas law if a federal judge does not intervene. During a federal hearing, attorneys for Minnesota argued that Castro would be difficult to compel to face charges if released and could flee. Attorneys for the Texas governor's office contended that the lawsuit was premature as the governor had not officially denied the extradition request. The judge indicated he was inclined not to prevent Castro's release but would issue an order.