Judge clears path for ICE agent accused in Minnesota shooting case to leave Texas jail

A federal judge on Wednesday handed Minnesota a major setback in its fight to keep ICE agent Christian Castro behind bars in Texas, denying an emergency request that would have blocked his release Thursday.U.S.District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr.

rejected Minnesota’s request for a temporary restraining order barring Cameron County Sheriff Manuel Trevino from releasing Castro while Texas Gov.Greg Abbott decides whether to extradite the agent to face assault charges.Castro’s 90-day detention period under Texas law expires Thursday.

Trevino’s counsel told the court that without a court order or a rendition warrant signed by Abbott, Castro would be released from the Cameron County Jail.Rodriguez wrote that Minnesota "fails to satisfy the requirements for the issuance of a temporary restraining order."'POLITICAL STUNT' PROSECUTION OF ICE AGENT FOR 'ROAD RAGE' PROVOKES HEATED DHS RESPONSEFILE - Federal law enforcement agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, US, on Friday, Jan.23, 2026.

Minneapolis and St.Paul challenged the surge of thousands of ICE officials in the region as unconstitutional, with local residents blaming the federal officials and their methods for making them feel less safe.

(Photo: Jack Califano/Bloomberg via Getty Images) (Getty Images)Minnesota had asked the court to force Abbott to immediately issue a rendition warrant and prevent Castro’s release in the meantime.The state warned Castro could flee to Mexico, pointing to jail calls with a woman described in court filings as his romantic partner who lives in Progreso, Mexico.According to the order, Castro discussed buying property and moving to Mexico in the future.

Minnesota argued that if he left the country, it could take months or years to secure his return and prosecute him.But Rodriguez ruled that Minnesota’s lawsuit was premature because Abbott has not yet denied its extradition request."The record reflects only that Governor Abbott has neither agreed nor refused to sign the rendition ...