Federal Judge Blocks Minnesota’s Attempt to Keep ICE Agent in Texas Custody

A U.S. District Judge on Wednesday dealt Minnesota a significant legal blow by denying its emergency motion to keep ICE agent Christian Castro detained in Texas. Federal Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. refused to issue a temporary restraining order that would have barred Cameron County Sheriff Manuel Trevino from releasing Castro on Thursday, when his 90-day detention period under Texas law expires.

Minnesota had sought to prevent Castro’s release while Texas Gov. Greg Abbott determines whether to extradite the agent to face assault charges stemming from a January incident. The state warned that without judicial intervention, Castro could flee to Mexico, citing jail calls with a woman living in Progreso, Mexico where he allegedly discussed purchasing property and relocating in the future.

Rodriguez determined that Minnesota’s lawsuit was premature, noting that Abbott has neither approved nor rejected the extradition request. The judge wrote that neither the U.S. Constitution nor state and federal extradition laws impose a deadline for Abbott to complete his review, finding the matter was not yet ripe for judicial decision.

Castro faces four felony counts of second-degree assault and one misdemeanor charge of false reporting related to an ICE operation in January. According to court filings, he fired one shot through a home’s closed front door, injuring someone in the leg, an incident that sparked protests in north Minneapolis.

Minnesota formally requested Castro’s extradition in early June following his arrest in Cameron County. Abbott has directed the Texas secretary of state to investigate whether Castro should be surrendered under the state’s Uniform Criminal Extradition Act, a step permitted under Texas law.

The case has become entangled in broader political tensions between Minnesota and the Trump administration over state prosecutions of ICE agents involved in Operation Metro Surge. The Department of Homeland Security has characterized Minnesota officials as “sanctuary politicians” staging a “political stunt,” while Minnesota authorities contend the agents’ alleged conduct exceeded their federal law-enforcement authority.

Without a rendition warrant from Abbott or further court intervention, Castro is expected to be released Thursday. Neither Abbott nor Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the judge’s decision.