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Minnesota sues Texas over extradition of ICE agent
Minnesota is suing Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to force the extradition of an ICE officer charged in a January shooting before a key detention deadline expires Thursday.
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - A federal judge has denied Minnesota’s request to prevent the release of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer being held in a Texas jail in connection with a deadly shooting earlier this year.
What we know:
In his order, the judge said the temporary restraining order being sought couldn’t be granted because Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has yet to deny Minnesota’s request to extradite Christian Castro.
Abbott praises judge's decision
In a statement from his press secretary, Abbott said the judge made the right decision.
What they're saying:
"The court was right to reject Governor Walz’s absurd claim," said Abbott's Press Secretary Andrew Mahaleris. "The Constitution requires deliberate consideration of extradition requests and tasks Governor Abbott to ‘decide, upon such evidence as he may deem satisfactory’ whether ‘the person demanded is a fugitive.’ Today’s order rebuffs Minnesota’s efforts to conscript federal courts into commandeering the authority of Governor Abbott’s office."
Texas Rangers arrested Castro in May
The backstory:
Castro was picked up by the Texas Rangers in South Texas in May. Under Texas law, a person awaiting extradition cannot be held longer than 90 days. That deadline hits Thursday.
Minnesota officials said they filed a lawsuit to prevent Castro’s release because they are worried he will flee.
Abbott’s motion that was filed in court Monday said that he does not believe Castro fled Minnesota, but instead returned to Texas for work.
The Source: Information in this story came from court documents and previous FOX Local reporting.