Operation Metro Surge ICE deployment results in fatal shootings of two citizens
Operation Metro Surge ICE deployment in Minneapolis killed two U.S. citizens.
Event / Security
ICE Agent Christian Castro Arrest
ICE agent Christian Castro was arrested in Minneapolis on September 17, 2025, facing felony assault and false reporting charges stemming from the January 14, 2025 shooting of Venezuelan immigrant Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis. Castro shot through an apartment door, wounding Sosa-Celis in the leg while children were present, then falsely reported being attacked with a snow shovel and broom. The Justice Department indicted Castro on six counts of lying to investigators. Texas Governor Abbott initially refused to sign extradition papers, leading to a months-long interstate legal battle. Operation Metro Surge resulted in two fatal civilian shootings and widespread protests, with civil rights investigations ongoing.
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2026-09-18 to 2026-11-05 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 18 Sept, 02:23 UTC
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What happened
ICE suspended Christian Castro from the agency
The Department of Homeland Security suspended ICE agent Christian Castro from Immigration and Customs Enforcement pending the outcome of legal proceedings.
Justice Department indicted ICE agent on charges of lying to investigators
The U.S. Justice Department indicted Christian Castro on six counts of making materially false statements to the FBI regarding the January 14 shooting incident. This was the first Justice Department prosecution of a federal law enforcement officer accused of wrongdoing arising from Operation Metro Surge, the massive Minneapolis ICE deployment.
ICE agent Christian Castro arrested in Minneapolis on assault charges
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Christian Castro, 52, was arrested by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in downtown Minneapolis on September 17, 2025, on an outstanding arrest warrant. Castro faced felony second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and misdemeanor false reporting charges stemming from the January 14, 2025 shooting incident.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott refused to sign extradition papers for ICE agent
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican supporter of Trump's mass deportation policies, refused to sign extradition papers sent by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz requesting that Castro be returned to Minnesota to face charges. Abbott questioned whether Castro could be considered a fugitive from justice because the Department of Homeland Security had reassigned him to Texas after the shooting.
Operation Metro Surge ICE deployment led to fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens
During Operation Metro Surge, the massive ICE deployment in Minneapolis ordered as part of President Trump's immigration crackdown, federal agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens. The operation drew weeks of protests and clashes between ICE and demonstrators.
ICE agent falsely reported being attacked with snow shovel and broom
After shooting Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, ICE agent Christian Castro told Department of Homeland Security superiors that Sosa-Celis and another person attacked him with a snow shovel and broom. Video evidence later disproved these claims, forming the basis for false reporting charges against Castro.
Justice Department initially charged Venezuelan immigrant with assault before dropping charges
The Justice Department initially charged Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis and another man with assault in connection with the January 14 shooting. The charges were later dropped after the department acknowledged that ICE officers, including Christian Castro, had made untruthful statements about the incident.
Civil rights investigation opened into shooting incident
A civil rights investigation into the shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis by ICE agent Christian Castro was opened by federal authorities.
ICE agent shot Venezuelan immigrant through apartment door
On January 14, 2025, ICE agent Christian Castro shot Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a 24-year-old Venezuelan national, in the leg by firing through the door of a Minneapolis apartment. The bullet passed through Sosa-Celis' leg and lodged in a child's bedroom wall. Children were present inside the home at the time of the shooting.
Minnesota sued Texas to compel extradition of ICE agent
Minnesota officials filed a lawsuit against Texas to compel Governor Greg Abbott to sign extradition papers for ICE agent Christian Castro. A federal judge in Texas declined to intervene. Minnesota later dismissed the lawsuit after Castro was arrested in Minnesota.
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2 alternative perspectives
Texas Refuses Extradition as Minnesota Pursues Legal Battle
Minnesota sued Texas to force extradition of ICE agent Castro after Texas governor refused to sign papers.
ICE Agent Arrested, Charged With Assault and Lying to Investigators
ICE agent arrested and indicted for assault and lying to investigators after shooting Venezuelan immigrant.