DHS Issues Statement Condemning Judge Who Allowed Illegal Alien to Escape ICE in Her Courtroom
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court also issued the judge a formal reprimand
WASHINGTON – The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement condemning a Massachusetts judge who had allowed an illegal alien to use a back exit in her courtroom to escape U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
On April 2, 2018, illegal alien Oscar Manuel Peguero, alias Jose Medina-Perez, went to court after being arrested for possession of a Class B controlled substance and possession of a Class E controlled substance in Newton, Massachusetts. He also had an outstanding warrant at the time in Pennsylvania for being a fugitive from justice. The presiding judge was Massachusetts State District Court Judge Shelley Joseph. ICE lodged a detainer for Peguero on March 30, the same day he was arrested, but the detainer was not honored.
While an ICE officer was waiting outside the courtroom to arrest Peguero, Judge Joseph let Peguero leave the courtroom through a back exit that allowed him to evade ICE custody.
Oscar Manuel Peguero, AKA Jose Medina-Perez
In 2019, Joseph was charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice, aiding and abetting obstruction of justice, and aiding and abetting obstruction of a federal proceeding. In 2022, the Biden Administration dropped the charges against Joseph.
On September 10, 2026, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) issued Joseph a formal reprimand. The SJC found that she “created an appearance of impropriety in violation of her duties” when she ordered the court clerk to shut off the court’s audio recording systems during the proceedings.
“This judicial misconduct reflects what DHS is facing across the country,” said DHS General Counsel James Percival. “Certain judges think it is their duty to undermine, rather than enforce, federal immigration law. Helping illegal aliens escape from immigration officers is a felony. Sanctuary politicians and sanctuary judges alike are on notice.”
Peguero first illegally entered the United States through Boston Logan International Airport in January 2003, falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen. He was arrested and deported on January 31, 2003. He then illegally re-entered the United States – a felony – through New Mexico in April 2007. He was arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol and deported a second time on June 22, 2007. He then illegally entered the United States for a THIRD time at an unknown date and location.
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