US judge makes threat after dramatic arrest of a colleague

The activities of ICE are having surprising legal consequences

Following the dramatic arrest of a US judge by the FBI, another judge is threatening to close her court. The issue revolves around the case of an illegal immigrant on charges of misdemeanor domestic battery after he allegedly assaulted  multiple people during a fight over loud music. But the judge heard that ICE officials were waiting to take the defendant into custody. She allowed him and his lawyer to leave via the jury door, which is usually restricted.

This led her to being arrested on charges of obstructing justice.

Judge seeking guidance

The legality of the charges are questionable, with many judges warning that their independence is under threat. There is also a fear that the presence of armed FBI and ICE official is courts will intimidate people that are seeking justice. It echoes a similar request from a selection of churches that ICE teams not target religious services.

County Circuit Judge Monica Isham of Wisconsin has said she has “had enough” of seeing the independence of the judiciary being challenged. She wants to see more clarity and support for an independent judiciary. 'I have no intention of allowing anyone to be taken out of my courtroom by ICE and sent to a concentration camp, especially without due process, as BOTH of the constitutions we swore to support requires,' Isham declared in an e-mail sent to colleagues. “If there is no guidance for us and support for us, I will refuse to hold court.”

(Michael Leahy. Source: Daily Mail et al. Photo: Zachary Cawary / Pexels)