On Friday, September 18, the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN), joined by community leaders, will hold a press conference following the federal court appearance of ICE officer Christian Castro.
WHAT: Press conference responding to the federal prosecution of ICE officer Christian Castro
WHEN: Friday, September 18, 2026, at 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Outside the Warren E. Burger Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, 316 North Robert Street, Saint Paul, MN 55101
WHO: CAIR-Minnesota leaders, community advocates and impacted community members
CONTACT: Suleiman Adan, Deputy Executive Director, CAIR-Minnesota, 612-408-7183, [email protected]
BACKGROUNDER:
Castro faces a federal charge of making false statements to investigators about the January shooting of 24-year-old Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in Minneapolis. State prosecutors have separately charged Castro with assault and falsely reporting a crime. Prosecutors allege that Castro shot Sosa-Celis through the front door of a home and later provided a false account to justify the shooting.
CAIR-MN will respond to the hearing and call for full transparency and accountability for federal officers whose actions harmed Minnesota communities during Operation Metro Surge. This prosecution marks an important test of whether federal agents will be held to the same legal standards as the people and communities they police.
CAIR-MN Deputy Executive Director Suleiman Adan said:
“For months, Minnesota communities have demanded accountability for the violence, fear and abuse of authority they experienced during Operation Metro Surge. No badge, agency or federal title should place anyone above the law. This case is about more than one officer. It is about whether our government will tell the truth, protect the public and hold its own agents accountable when they cause harm. We stand with Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, his family and every community that continues to live with the consequences of these operations.”
Members of the media are encouraged to attend. CAIR-MN representatives will be available for interviews following the press conference.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
END
MEDIA CONTACT:
Suleiman Adan
Deputy Executive Director, CAIR-Minnesota
612-408-7183
[email protected]