DHS Blasts Massachusetts Judge's Reprimand as Proof Judges Are Undermining ICE

DHS issued a statement on September 14, 2026 condemning the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court's September 10 public reprimand of District Court Judge Shelley Joseph as insufficient, framing it as evidence of a broader pattern of judicial obstruction of immigration enforcement. DHS General Counsel James Percival said 'this judicial misconduct reflects what DHS is facing across the country. Certain judges think it is their duty to undermine, rather than enforce, federal immigration law.' The statement referenced Joseph's April 2, 2018 handling of the case of Oscar Manuel Peguero (also known as Jose Medina-Perez), who exited through a back door of her Newton courtroom and evaded an ICE officer waiting for him; federal obstruction of justice charges against Joseph were dropped in 2022 after she stipulated she knew ICE was waiting and asked the agent to leave the courtroom before an off-record discussion.