ICE officer Christian Castro was released from a Texas jail on August 27, 2026, after being held for 90 days without extradition to Minnesota, where he faces assault and false reporting charges [1, 2, 3]. Castro is accused of firing a gun through the front door of a Minneapolis home on January 14, injuring 24-year-old Julio César Sosa-Celis in the leg [1, 2, 3]. Prosecutors say Castro falsely accused Sosa-Celis and another man of attacking an ICE officer with a broom handle and a snow shovel [1, 2, 3].
Minnesota issued a nationwide arrest warrant for Castro in May 2026. Texas authorities arrested him on May 29 in Cameron County but Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declined to sign the extradition warrant, citing an ongoing state investigation and questions about Castro's fugitive status [1, 2, 3].
A U.S. district judge ruled on August 26 that the court lacked jurisdiction to order Castro's return to Minnesota or block his release. Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. said, “The Court concludes that it lacks subject matter jurisdiction because the case is not ripe for adjudication. Minnesota cannot premise its causes of action on the allegation that Governor Abbott may violate those authorities in the future; it must prove that a violation has already occurred” [1].
Federal prosecutors also dismissed assault charges against Sosa-Celis and his roommate after reviewing video evidence that contradicted earlier claims [3].
Castro’s detention in Texas reached the state’s 90-day limit on holding someone without approved extradition. He was released from Cameron County detention on August 27 [1, 2, 3].
The controversy remains between Texas and Minnesota over extradition proceedings and legal authority. No further court rulings or extradition actions were reported immediately following Castro’s release.
