Judges Decry Arrest of Milwaukee Judge Over ICE Case

Controversy erupted when Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested by FBI agents for allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant evade ICE by using a side door, prompting over 150 former judges from both parties to criticize the Trump administration's actions as an attempt to intimidate the judiciary. The letter, led by prominent former federal judges, argued that such arrests undermine the rule of law and erode public trust in the courts. The arrest, which included a public 'perp walk,' was described by legal experts as unprecedented and unnecessary. The incident follows recent ICE detentions at a courthouse in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, signaling an escalation of federal immigration enforcement in traditionally off-limits spaces. The Justice Department has defended its actions, while former prosecutors and officials warn that these tactics threaten judicial independence. The events highlight mounting tensions between local courts and federal immigration authorities under Trump’s policies.