A federal immigration officer has been arrested in Texas months after a shooting incident in Minneapolis that left a Venezuelan national wounded during a large-scale immigration enforcement operation.
Authorities confirmed that Christian Castro, an agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), was taken into custody in South Texas after Minnesota prosecutors filed multiple criminal charges connected to the January 14 shooting.
The case has attracted national attention amid ongoing debates over federal immigration enforcement practices and the use of force by government agents.
Charges Filed After Investigation Challenges Initial Claims
According to prosecutors, Castro faces four counts of second-degree assault along with one charge of filing a false report.
Investigators allege that the agent shot Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in the leg while participating in a federal immigration operation in Minneapolis. Officials claim the shot was fired through a residential door during an attempt to locate another individual.
Early reports from federal authorities suggested the officer acted after being attacked with household tools. However, later reviews of surveillance footage and witness evidence reportedly raised questions about that account.
As a result, previous allegations against Sosa-Celis and another man connected to the incident were later dismissed.
Arrest Linked to Broader Scrutiny of Immigration Enforcement Actions
The shooting occurred during “Operation Metro Surge,” a federal immigration crackdown that generated protests and controversy across Minnesota.
Minnesota investigators located Castro in Texas and coordinated with law enforcement agencies there to carry out the arrest. Prosecutors say the case demonstrates that federal officers can still face state criminal charges when accused of violating local laws.
Castro is reportedly the second immigration agent to face criminal charges connected to incidents that occurred during the operation.
Federal and State Authorities Continue Legal Dispute
The arrest has intensified tensions between state prosecutors and federal agencies.
Officials from the Department of Homeland Security have criticized the prosecution, arguing that the case should be handled at the federal level. State prosecutors, however, maintain that local authorities have the right to pursue criminal charges when offenses occur within their jurisdiction.
The case remains under investigation, and additional legal proceedings are expected in the coming months as courts review the allegations and evidence.
