Wisconsin Judge ICE Protest Follows Arrest of Hannah Dugan
The Wisconsin judge ICE protest began after the arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan last week. The case quickly sparked debate across the state’s judicial system.
Judge Monica Isham shared her concerns in an email sent statewide on Saturday. The email carried the subject line “Guidance Requested or I Refuse to Hold Court.”
In the message, Isham stated she would not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement actions. She warned that without guidance, she would refuse to hold court in Branch 2 in Sawyer County.
Isham said she did not want to place herself, her staff, or her community at risk. Therefore, she insisted that clear direction and support from the judicial system were necessary.
Judge Monica Isham Responds to Federal Immigration Enforcement
In her email, Isham criticized potential arrests inside courtrooms. She said she would not allow anyone to be removed from her courtroom by immigration agents.
The judge argued that due process protections must be respected under both the U.S. Constitution and the Wisconsin state constitution. Additionally, she asked whether she should begin raising bail money if consequences followed.
However, federal officials say individuals detained by immigration authorities already receive due process. According to the Trump administration, immigration judges issue deportation orders before enforcement occurs.
Tom Homan has previously said many detainees already received legal rulings ordering their removal.
Federal Officials Respond to Wisconsin Judge ICE Protest
Federal authorities arrested Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday. Prosecutors charged her with obstruction of an official proceeding and concealing an individual.
The criminal complaint states that Dugan helped a migrant avoid arrest. Authorities said she escorted the individual through a restricted jury door after a court hearing.
Agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal agencies waited in a public area to detain him. The migrant, identified as Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, faced three misdemeanor battery charges.
Officials said Flores-Ruiz is a Mexican national who was in the United States illegally. Authorities attempted to detain him after his April 18 court appearance.
Wider Reactions and Additional Arrests
The Wisconsin judge ICE protest also drew responses from federal officials. Harmeet Dhillon described Isham’s threat as “problematic” on social media.
Meanwhile, federal authorities announced another related arrest in New Mexico. Former Judge Joel Cano and his wife were charged with harboring an illegal alien suspected of gang ties.
Officials alleged the individual belonged to the Venezuelan-based Tren de Aragua gang. Authorities also connected the case to concerns about the gang MS-13.
Homan addressed the broader situation in a statement on X. He emphasized that judges and other officials are not above the law.
He also warned that individuals may support immigration policies. However, he said they should not obstruct federal immigration enforcement actions.
