Texas judge declines to order ICE agent’s extradition to Minnesota

A federal judge in Texas declined to order Governor Greg Abbott to extradite ICE agent Christian Castro to Minnesota, ruling he lacks jurisdiction because Abbott hasn't technically denied the request — just sat on it for nearly three months. Castro faces charges including four counts of second-degree assault after allegedly shooting a Venezuelan immigrant through a door during an immigration operation and falsely reporting he'd been attacked, a story surveillance video later contradicted.

The judge also refused to keep Castro detained past Texas's 90-day limit, meaning he's set for release despite Minnesota's fear he could flee to Mexico. Abbott's office called the ruling a rebuke of Minnesota's 'absurd claim,' while Minnesota's attorney general accused Texas of becoming 'a sanctuary state for violent criminals.'

Abbott has cited doubts that Castro even counts as a fugitive, since he returned to Texas on federal orders rather than fleeing voluntarily — an argument the judge said he doubts holds up under Supreme Court precedent, even while declining to do anything about it.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.