Photo Credit: AP Michael Gonzalez/ Christian Castro leaves jail August 27
(MINNEAPOLIS, MN.) – ICE Officer Christian Castro was released from Cameron County Jail today after his 90-day detention period expired. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said he wouldn’t respond to the extradition request, citing the ongoing investigation into fraud within Minnesota social services programs.*
The investigation is the same issue President Donald Trump used to justify Operation Metro Surge and other immigration crackdowns in the state.
Abbott has also asserted that the state is still conducting an internal investigation to determine if Castro qualifies as a fugitive under constitutional law. Castro was arrested in Texas after Minnesota issued a warrant for his arrest regarding assault charges surrounding the January 14 shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national living in Minneapolis.
Minnesota was denied intervention by a Federal Court Judge because Abbott has not yet made a decision, and the court can’t supersede the state's existing laws regarding detention. Prosecutors are afraid he’ll flee the country, and Castro hasn’t done anything to eliminate those fears.
He made several calls to a woman in Mexico while he was detained. In those calls, Castro allegedly discussed marriage and buying a house in Mexico once released. If he flees, it will be significantly more difficult for Minnesota and could create further delays in the case.
Many see Abbott’s delay as purely political. Abbott and Minnesota Attorney Keith Ellison have been criticizing each other's states for some time, and are staunch political opponents. Ellison has called Texas a “sanctuary state for violent criminals” and said Abbot is protecting a violent offender.
Abbott openly accused Minnesota of failing to enforce immigration laws properly, and said Minnesota lawyers don’t understand the law. Texas hasn’t provided any information that indicates the state will monitor Castro’s movements while it completes its internal investigation.
*Minnesota has an ongoing investigation into social program fraud, which did include multiple immigrants; the state has already tried several individuals involved. There is no evidence that ICE actions or the case against Castro are in any way related to the fraud investigations, or that the victim was involved in any form of fraud against the state.
To add to or correct any information in this report, please contact me at kristin.h@lead4earth.org.
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