Tell Greg Abbott: Stop Shielding an ICE Agent From Justice

Minnesota just sued Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for refusing to extradite an ICE agent accused of shooting a man — and then lying to blame the victim for what happened.

ICE agent Christian Castro faces four felony assault charges and a misdemeanor charge of falsely reporting a crime after a January operation in Minneapolis. Prosecutors say Castro fired through the front door of a home, shooting Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in the leg. They say Castro then falsely accused Sosa-Celis and another man of attacking federal officers with a broom handle and snow shovel.

No badge puts you above the law. And no governor should stand between an accused officer and the courtroom where the facts can be tested.

Tell Greg Abbott: Approve Christian Castro’s extradition now. Let him face the charges in Minnesota.

Minnesota officials have spent months trying to get Abbott to approve Castro’s extradition. Yesterday, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a federal lawsuit seeking to force Abbott to act and prevent Castro from being released before he can be returned to Minnesota.

The clock is ticking. Texas law limits how long an alleged fugitive can be held while awaiting extradition, and Minnesota officials say Castro could be released as early as August 26. Abbott has approved other Minnesota extraditions while this one has stalled.

Extradition requires the accused to appear in court like anyone else accused of a crime. Sosa-Celis deserves the chance for the evidence to be heard, and the public deserves to know that federal officers cannot shoot someone, allegedly blame that person for the violence, and then escape the ordinary legal process.

Abbott can end this standoff now. He should approve the extradition and let Castro finally face the charges against him.

Add your name and demand Greg Abbott act before Castro is released.

The petition to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott reads:

“Immediately approve the extradition of Christian Castro to Minnesota so he can face the criminal charges against him. ICE agents are not above the law and should not receive special protection from the ordinary legal process.”