A Wisconsin judge is contemplating suspending court sessions following the arrest of her colleague, Judge Hannah Dugan, by federal authorities. In an email sent to fellow judges across the state, Judge Monica Isham expressed her concerns and refusal to work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), citing safety and due process as her top priorities.
In the email, titled “Guidance Requested or I Refuse to Hold Court,” Isham made it clear she wouldn’t conduct court proceedings in Sawyer County’s Branch 2 unless she received guidance and support. She also stated she would not allow anyone to be detained by ICE in her courtroom without proper due process, which she believes is a constitutional right.
“I won’t put myself or my staff at risk by being pressured into cooperating with ICE,” Isham wrote, emphasizing that she has no intention of allowing anyone to be removed from her court without the legal protections guaranteed by the constitution. She even joked about fundraising for bail, showing just how strongly she felt about her stance.
Her comments come after the arrest of Judge Dugan, who faces charges for allegedly obstructing an official proceeding and concealing an individual to prevent their arrest. Dugan is accused of helping a man, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, evade federal agents after a court appearance. Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national living unlawfully in the U.S., was facing misdemeanor battery charges when he was reportedly escorted out of the courthouse by Dugan, avoiding a waiting ICE operation.
The controversy surrounding Dugan’s actions has sparked strong reactions, with some calling her actions problematic, while others defend her motivations. Federal officials, including Border czar Tom Homan, have emphasized that judges are not above the law, regardless of their personal views on immigration.
As tensions rise, Judge Isham’s strong words highlight the ongoing debate over the role of courts, the law, and immigration enforcement in the United States.