A dispute over a recent federal arrest has triggered an extraordinary response from a Wisconsin judge, who is considering halting court proceedings as a form of protest.
Judge Monica Isham sent an email to her fellow judges on Saturday, outlining her stance and requesting guidance regarding interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The email, titled “Guidance Requested or I Refuse to Hold Court,” conveyed her firm refusal to cooperate with ICE operations.
“If there is no direction for us, and no support offered, I will cease holding court in Branch 2 of Sawyer County. I am unwilling to jeopardize myself or my team who may feel obligated to assist me or our community by engaging in such circumstances,” Isham stated.
Her concerns centered on the arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan, and she expressed deep reservations about ICE actions within her courtroom. As Isham put it, “I have no intention of permitting anyone to be removed from my court by ICE and subjected to what amounts to detention without due process – a violation of both constitutions I swore to uphold. Should I begin providing financial assistance for bail?
“If this decision leads to the loss of my position or even arrest, at least I can know that I acted in accordance with my conscience,” she added.
Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, publicly criticized Judge Isham’s declaration, labeling it “problematic.”
The situation stems from the arrest of Judge Dugan on Friday, who now faces charges including obstruction of an official proceeding. The criminal complaint alleges that she interfered with ICE agents attempting to apprehend Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national.
Flores-Ruiz was scheduled to appear in court on April 18 to address three misdemeanor battery charges related to alleged assaults against two individuals. Following his hearing, and at Dugan’s direction, he and his attorney exited the courtroom through a restricted jury door, avoiding public areas where ICE, FBI, CBP, and DEA agents were stationed awaiting his arrest, according to authorities.
Judge Dugan previously held leadership roles with legal aid organizations and served as executive director of Catholic Charities. She was elected to Branch 31 of the Circuit Court in 2016 and secured her position again in 2022 without opposition. Her caseload primarily involves misdemeanor cases, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Key Developments:
- Judge Monica Isham is considering refusing to hold court due to concerns over ICE actions.
- Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested and charged with obstruction of an official proceeding and concealing a person.
- The incident involved Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, facing battery charges, who was sought by multiple federal agencies.
Quote: “If there is no guidance for us, and no support offered, I will cease holding court…” – Judge Monica Isham
