1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

The alleged arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan by the FBI for purportedly obstructing an immigration arrest is a concerning overreach that undermines the independence of the judiciary. Judges must be free to make decisions based on the law without fear of retaliation or intimidation from law enforcement agencies. This arrest appears to be an attempt to strong-arm the judicial branch into complying with controversial immigration policies. It sends a chilling message that judges may face consequences for ruling against the government's positions in immigration cases. Such actions erode the system of checks and balances vital to our democracy. I urge you to publicly condemn this arrest as a violation of judicial autonomy and an abuse of power by federal law enforcement. The independence of the judiciary is a cornerstone of our nation's commitment to justice and must be staunchly defended against overreach by the executive branch. Failure to do so sets a dangerous precedent that could enable further erosion of constitutionally-protected rights and liberties. Immediate action is needed to rein in agencies like ICE that have been given excessive authority to trample on due process in the name of hardline immigration enforcement.