Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a lawsuit against Texas Governor Greg Abbott on August 18, 2026, alleging that Abbott unlawfully delayed the extradition of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent wanted in Minnesota on assault charges.
The lawsuit stems from the case of Samuel Briggs, an ICE agent accused of assaulting a Somali-American man in Minneapolis in 2023. Briggs was arrested in Texas in July 2026, but Governor Abbott has not signed the extradition warrant, citing concerns about Minnesota's immigration policies.
Ellison argues that Abbott's refusal violates the U.S. Constitution's extradition clause, which requires governors to return fugitives to the state where they are charged. The lawsuit seeks a court order compelling Abbott to extradite Briggs.
This legal action is part of a broader dispute between Minnesota and Texas over immigration enforcement, with Abbott having previously criticized Minnesota's sanctuary city policies. The case is expected to be heard in federal court.
