Is there a Trump vs judiciary tussle over immigration enforcement and Wisconsin judge’s arrest?

President Donald Trump reignited a heated debate over judicial involvement in immigration enforcement, sharing a new poll on his Truth Social platform asking whether judges and politicians should be “arrested and prosecuted” for allegedly aiding illegal immigrants. The poll comes at a time when a Wisconsin judge’s arrest for allegedly helping an illegal migrant evade federal authorities has further intensified the discussion on the role of the judiciary in immigration cases.

On Friday, Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested and charged with obstruction of justice for allegedly concealing Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national who had been deported in 2013 and illegally re-entered the United States. Federal authorities accuse Dugan of misdirecting agents away from Flores-Ruiz following a pre-trial hearing last week.

In response to Dugan’s arrest, Sawyer County Circuit Judge Monica Isham expressed strong support for her colleague, vowing to refuse to hold court if judicial actions continue to be undermined. Isham, in an email to fellow judges, said, “I will not put myself or my staff who may feel compelled to help me or my community in [harm’s] way.” She also threatened to raise bail money for defendants facing deportation, adding, “If this cost me my job or it gets me arrested, then at least I know I did the right thing.”
Dugan’s arrest has added fuel to the broader national debate on immigration policy, especially as Trump’s poll coincided with a high-profile legal case involving Luis Garcia, an undocumented immigrant. Garcia, who has lived in the U.S. for over a decade, was scheduled for deportation following a prior violation but received a temporary order from Judge Maria Hernandez halting his deportation due to due process concerns.
Trump’s poll, which asked whether judges and politicians should face prosecution for allegedly hiding or helping illegal immigrants, quickly gained attention. The post aligns with Trump’s ongoing criticism of judicial intervention in immigration cases and sanctuary policies, a central theme of his 2024 presidential campaign.
The controversy surrounding Garcia’s case, along with Dugan’s arrest, has further divided opinions over the judiciary’s role in enforcing US immigration policy. Proponents of stricter immigration laws argue that judicial rulings, such as Hernandez’s and Dugan’s, undermine immigration enforcement, while advocates for immigrants assert that such interventions are necessary to protect the due process rights of long-time undocumented residents.
Dugan, who has served on the Milwaukee County bench for nearly a decade, faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of both counts of obstruction. Her arraignment is scheduled for May 15, though it remains uncertain whether she will be placed on leave during the legal proceedings.
Trump’s poll and the ongoing controversies highlight the broader national divide on immigration policy, with political figures and judges clashing over the balance between law enforcement and judicial oversight.