Minnesota Files Lawsuit To Force Texas To Extradite Ice Agent

Minnesota is asking a federal court to compel Governor Greg Abbott of Texas to extradite an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, Christian Castro — nearly three months after he was arrested in the Lone Star State. In May, Texas Rangers arrested Mr. Castro, acting on a nationwide arrest warrant issued by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. The charges stem from a January 14 incident in which Mr. Castro shot a Venezuelan man, Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, in the leg. Mr. Castro alleges that he was attacked by Mr. Sosa-Celis and another man with a shovel and a broomstick. The Department of Homeland Security initially said the agent shot Mr. Sosa-Celis in self-defense. Minnesota law enforcement officials say video evidence contradicts that story, and DHS now says it is investigating Mr. Castro’s statements.Minnesota’s governor, Tim Walz, asked Texas to extradite Mr. Castro. However, in the nearly three months since the agent was arrested, Mr. Abbott has not signed the extradition warrant. During a press conference announcing the federal lawsuit against Texas on Tuesday, Minnesota’s attorney general, Keith Ellison, said, “Christian Castro has been charged with breaking the law in Minnesota.”“He must face justice in Minnesota. Governor Abbott should have granted Governor Walz’s extradition request long ago and is required to do so now,” Mr. Ellison added. “Christian Castro is not above the law and Greg Abbott isn’t either.”The Hennepin County attorney, Mary Moriarty, said the lawsuit was “completely unnecessary” as she noted Texas has extradited three other defendants to Minnesota since Mr. Castro’s arrest. Mr. Ellison told reporters that Mr. Abbott has had daily communication with his office and that as a result of the delay in Mr. Castro’s case, “We have to take the position that they are refusing to honor the extradition request.”Extradition requests are typically approved with little drama. Governors can only reject them for specific reasons, such as if the person arrested is not actually the individual wanted. However, Texas law gives the governor authority to launch an investigation into the accusations against a defendant to determine whether the individual should be handed over to the state that filed the charges. It is unclear whether Texas has launched such a review of the charges.A spokesman for Homeland Security criticized the state charges against Mr. Castro, calling them a “political stunt.” He told The New York Sun that the matter should be handled by federal officials.Minnesota’s lawsuit comes as the clock is ticking on Mr. Castro’s detention in Texas. Under Texas law, defendants may be released after 90 days if the extradition request is not approved. Mr. Castro would be eligible to be released on August 26 if Mr. Abbott rejects Minnesota’s request.Mr. Ellison said the lawsuit is asking a federal judge to prevent Mr. Castro from being released next week, when the 90-day window closes. The attorney general said that if Mr. Castro is released, he may flee to a different town. Earlier this month, Ms. Moriarty sent a letter to Mr. Abbott, urging him to sign the extradition warrant. Mr. Abbott’s office told the Sun that the governor does not comment on pending extradition matters.

Minnesota Files Lawsuit To Force Texas To Extradite Ice Agent

Minnesota Files Lawsuit To Force Texas To Extradite Ice Agent

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