Trump admin charges state judge for allegedly letting illegal alien evade capture

A Massachusetts judge is facing potential removal from the bench after allegedly allowing a twice-deported illegal immigrant to evade ICE capture in 2018. Judge Shelley Joseph of the Boston Municipal Court is now under scrutiny for “willful judicial misconduct” for letting illegal immigrant Jose Medina-Perez slip out a side door to avoid ICE agents, as reported by the Boston Herald.

The case against Judge Joseph has been ongoing for six years, with federal charges initially filed against her in 2018 by then-U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling. However, the Biden administration dropped the charges in 2022 after Joseph agreed to refer herself to the Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct. It wasn’t until late 2024 that the state commission finally filed formal charges against Joseph, with a hearing date set for June 9.

In a striking comparison, the Trump administration acted swiftly in a similar case involving Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan. Dugan allegedly helped an illegal immigrant, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, escape federal agents by allowing him to exit the courtroom through a restricted door. Just a week after the incident, Dugan was arrested by the FBI and charged with felony obstruction of a federal agency and concealing a person to help them avoid arrest.

Currently, Dugan is prohibited from exercising her judicial powers pending further orders from the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized Dugan’s actions, particularly in a domestic violence case where Flores-Ruiz had assaulted two individuals, sending them to the hospital.

The contrasting responses to these cases highlight the differences in approach between the Trump and Biden administrations when it comes to holding judges accountable for aiding illegal immigrants in evading law enforcement. The outcome of Judge Joseph’s hearing in June will determine the future of her judicial career, while Judge Dugan faces consequences for her actions in Wisconsin.

It is essential to uphold the integrity of the judiciary by ensuring that judges adhere to the law and uphold justice fairly and impartially. These cases serve as a reminder of the importance of judicial accountability and the consequences that judges may face for misconduct.