NOTE: VIDEO AT THE END OF ARTICLE
A Wisconsin judge has taken the extraordinary step of shutting down her courtroom indefinitely, citing safety concerns and constitutional objections after a fellow judge was arrested by federal agents over an immigration-related incident.
Judge Monica Isham of Sawyer County announced she will no longer hold court in Branch 2 unless she receives clear guidance from state authorities on how to handle federal immigration enforcement in court settings. Her decision follows the arrest of Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan, who is accused of obstructing a federal deportation order by allegedly helping a defendant avoid Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents after a hearing.
Federal prosecutors claim Judge Dugan secretly escorted a defendant—who was facing deportation—out of the courthouse through a restricted exit to evade arrest. Dugan now faces federal charges of obstruction and harboring an undocumented immigrant.
In a strongly worded email to colleagues, Judge Isham stated, “I will not hold court under these conditions. I will not allow ICE to use my courtroom to violate constitutional rights.” She also expressed fears for her staff’s safety and suggested ICE detention facilities resembled “concentration camps,” sparking both support and outrage online.
The decision effectively halts all legal activity in her branch, including criminal cases, family court, and civil disputes. Local officials are scrambling to reroute cases and avoid major delays.
Legal experts say the situation exposes a growing conflict between federal immigration enforcement and state judicial independence. While the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution gives federal law primacy, state judges are also bound to uphold their own state constitutions—which may include broader protections for individual rights.
Critics argue that refusing to hold court could amount to judicial misconduct or dereliction of duty. Others, including some civil liberties groups, praise Isham’s stand as a bold defense of due process.
Wisconsin’s judicial oversight body may now investigate Isham’s refusal, and she could face discipline if deemed in violation of judicial conduct rules. Meanwhile, ICE has defended its actions, saying individuals targeted for removal have already received due process.
As the legal standoff unfolds, Judge Isham’s move is drawing national attention—raising urgent questions about where the line lies between enforcing federal law and protecting constitutional liberties inside America’s courthouses.
