Massachusetts' highest court publicly reprimands judge accused of enabling immigrant to escape ICE

• • Judge Shelley Joseph received a public reprimand for judicial impropriety regarding a 2018 incident.


• • An illegal immigrant, Jose Medina-Perez, evaded ICE agents while in the Newton District Court.


• • The court ruled Joseph violated judicial codes by creating an appearance of impropriety during sidebar discussions.

Context
The incident involved a defendant facing criminal charges who managed to exit through a rear door to avoid federal immigration enforcement. This case became a long running test of how judicial officers handle immigration enforcement within the courtroom.

Christian Perspective
Judges have a divine mandate to uphold the law and maintain order within their jurisdictions. Allowing an illegal alien to