Bummer: Judge Dugan Cannot Claim Judicial Immunity For Sheltering Illegal From ICE

I’m actually rather shocked that another judge ruled this way, and then it having to get overturned

US federal judge rules Wisconsin judge cannot claim immunity in immigration obstruction case

A US federal judge on Tuesday rejected a Wisconsin state court judge’s claim of judicial immunity, allowing criminal charges to proceed against her for allegedly obstructing federal immigration enforcement.

Judge Lynn Adelman of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin denied Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah C. Dugan’s motion to dismiss a federal indictment. The indictment charges Dugan under 18 U.S.C. § 1071 with concealing a person from arrest and under 18 U.S.C. § 1505 with obstructing removal proceedings conducted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Federal prosecutors allege that in April 2025, Dugan confronted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents outside her courtroom, told them they needed a judicial warrant to arrest a noncitizen defendant, and directed them to leave the area. According to the indictment, she later allowed the individual and his attorney to exit through a non-public jury door, advising that he could appear remotely at his next court date.

In her motion to dismiss, Dugan argued that the alleged conduct constituted official judicial acts shielded by absolute immunity, that the prosecution violated the Tenth Amendment by intruding on state court authority, and that the statutes should be construed to avoid constitutional conflicts. Judge Adelman rejected these arguments, ruling that while judges enjoy immunity from civil suits for damages, the Supreme Court has never recognized absolute judicial immunity from criminal liability. He emphasized that judicial acts may serve as the means of accomplishing an unlawful end, and that immunity does not bar prosecutions alleging corrupt intent.

I mean, it’s an attempt to use the judicial system, but, it’s all on video, and the federal government has absolute authority when it comes to illegal immigration, so, the 10th Amendment doesn’t apply. It’s right there in Article I. And, as Dems like to say, no one is above the law. And, heck, the feds could have also charged her with more, like 8 U.S. Code § 1324 – Bringing in and harboring certain aliens, section iii, for which the penalty is a fine and up to 5 years in jail. But, the government could argue she put the lives of federal agents in threat, they could ask up to 20 years.

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