ST. PAUL — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a federal lawsuit against Texas Governor Greg Abbott on August 18, 2026, to compel the extradition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Christian Castro. The legal action seeks to prevent Castro’s potential release from custody in Texas while he faces charges for assault in Minneapolis.

The complaint requests a temporary restraining order barring Cameron County Sheriff Manuel Trevino from releasing Castro and requires Governor Abbott to sign the extradition warrant. Ellison argued that the refusal to extradite violates constitutional obligations and state laws, asserting that Castro must answer for the alleged crimes in Minnesota.

"Christian Castro has been charged with breaking the law in Minnesota. He must face justice in Minnesota. Gov. Abbott should have granted Gov. Walz’s extradition request long ago and is required to do so now," Ellison said.

"Abbott’s refusal to extradite Castro is unconstitutional and violates federal law and Texas law. I will not stand for that, so I’m taking Abbott to court."

Texas Rangers arrested Castro in Cameron County, Texas, on May 29, 2026. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz sent the extradition request to Governor Abbott on June 2, 2026. Since Castro's arrest, Texas has extradited three unrelated criminal defendants to Minnesota without incident, according to statements from local officials.

Under Texas law, Castro faces release from custody 90 days after his detention if he is not extradited. This deadline means Castro could be released as soon as August 26, 2026. He stated that if freed, Castro could slip into Mexico from the border town where he is being held.

The lawsuit alleges that Castro has been making calls from jail to a woman in Mexico, discussing marrying her and buying a house there upon his release. He stated, "Christian Castro is not above the law and Greg Abbott isn’t either."

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty commented on the legal proceedings. "This is not about politics. It is about the law," Moriarty said. She stated that the legal action to compel Castro’s extradition "should be a completely unnecessary lawsuit." A spokesperson for Governor Abbott's office declined to comment on pending extradition matters.

The lawsuit cites a 1987 U.S. Supreme Court ruling which states that compliance with the Constitution’s extradition clause is mandatory. The ruling affords no discretion to the governor or courts of the asylum state in such matters.

Timeline

On January 14, 2026, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office filed charges against Castro, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, in the shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis in north Minneapolis. On that same date, Castro was accused of firing his service weapon through the closed front door of a Minneapolis home, striking Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in the leg. Also on January 14, 2026, Castro falsely accused Sosa-Celis and another man of attacking an ICE officer with a broom and a snow shovel before he fired.

Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna was being chased by Castro and another officer when they arrived at the Minneapolis apartment duplex where he and Sosa-Celis lived on January 14, 2026. A bullet from the shooting was found embedded in the wall of a child's bedroom in the Minneapolis home on January 14, 2026. Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis and Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna were legally in the United States at the time of the incident on January 14, 2026.

What's New

Additional reporting shows that he stated, "Abbott’s refusal to extradite Castro is unconstitutional and violates federal law and Texas law. I will not stand for that, so I’m taking Abbott to court." The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office has filed charges against Castro, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, in the shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis in north Minneapolis on January 14, 2026. Castro is charged with four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime in connection with the January 14 shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in Minneapolis. A spokesperson for Governor Abbott's office stated that the governor would not comment on pending extradition matters.

Ellison stated that if Castro is freed, he could slip into Mexico from the border town where he is being held. Castro, 52, is charged in Minnesota with four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime in the January 14 nonfatal shooting, according to court documents. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz sent the extradition request for Castro to Texas Governor Greg Abbott on June 2. Castro is accused of firing his service weapon through the closed front door of a Minneapolis home, striking Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in the leg.

How Sources Differ

Regarding the charges against Castro in Minnesota, he stated, "Christian Castro has been charged with breaking the law in Minnesota. He must face justice in Minnesota. Gov. Abbott should have granted Gov. Walz’s extradition request long ago and is required to do so now." In contrast, desk_web reports that Castro, 52, is charged in Minnesota with four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime in the January 14 nonfatal shooting, according to court documents.

On the specifics of the charges, Hennepin County charging documents state Castro is charged with four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime in connection with the January 14 shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in Minneapolis. Desk_web reports Castro, 52, is charged in Minnesota with four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime in the January 14 nonfatal shooting, according to court documents.

Regarding the initial legal actions involving the victims, Hennepin County charging documents note Castro is charged in connection with the shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis. The U.S. Department of Justice court filing notes the department initially charged Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis and Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna with assaulting a federal agent, but a federal judge dismissed the charges after surveillance footage disproved Castro's claims.

Why It Matters

The lawsuit tests the mandatory nature of the Constitution's extradition clause, citing a 1987 Supreme Court ruling that affords governors no discretion in such matters. If Castro is not extradited by the August 26 deadline under Texas law, he faces release and could potentially flee to Mexico, evading trial for assault charges. The legal action seeks to enforce compliance with federal obligations, arguing that refusal to extradite violates both constitutional duties and state statutes.