Milwaukee, Wis. — A federal grand jury has indicted Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan, alleging that she facilitated an undocumented man’s escape from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a court hearing. The charges could heighten existing tensions between local governance and federal immigration laws under the Trump administration. Dugan has denied all wrongdoing and plans to enter a plea this week.
The indictment charges Dugan with obstruction of justice and harboring a fugitive, claiming she knowingly directed a defendant out a restricted exit to evade waiting ICE agents. The incident took place on April 18, when Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an undocumented individual previously deported in 2013, appeared in her courtroom facing misdemeanor domestic abuse charges.
Witnesses say Dugan was informed of ICE’s presence by her clerk, leading her to confront federal agents directly. Reports indicate that she called their actions “absurd” and demanded they address the chief judge, which momentarily pulled them away from the courtroom. After this confrontation, Dugan allegedly guided Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through a back door typically designated for jurors, all while outside agents were preparing to apprehend him.
Although Flores-Ruiz was supposedly out on a signature bond at the time, his re-entry into the U.S. after prior deportation made him a target for federal enforcement. He was subsequently caught in a brief foot chase outside the courthouse.
If convicted, Dugan faces a maximum of six years in prison. Her legal team has expressed confidence in her eventual vindication, and she is scheduled to enter her plea on Thursday. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Milwaukee has refrained from making public comments on the ongoing case.
Dugan’s case draws parallels to a previous incident in Massachusetts involving a judge accused of allowing a defendant to escape ICE through a courthouse back door under the first Trump administration. That prosecution was dismissed but stirred considerable discussion within the legal community about judicial discretion and the autonomy of courts.
In light of the indictment, the Wisconsin Supreme Court suspended Dugan from her judicial duties at the end of April, citing the need to maintain public confidence in the judiciary. A reserve judge has since taken over her court responsibilities. Dugan, known for her procedural fairness in one of the state’s most diverse counties, has received praise from immigrant advocacy organizations in the past.
The legal implications of Dugan’s indictment are significant, further fueling the contentious debate between state judges’ responsibilities in protecting vulnerable populations and the federal mandate to enforce immigration laws. Critics, including Democratic lawmakers, argue that the Trump administration’s actions aim to intimidate judges who may prioritize fairness over strict enforcement.
“This is about sending a message to judges across the country: don’t get in ICE’s way,” remarked one anonymous Democratic state legislator, emphasizing the chilling effect this could have on judicial independence.
The outcome of Dugan’s case will likely resonate beyond Wisconsin, spotlighting the complex dynamics between sanctuary jurisdictions and federal authority in immigration enforcement. This legal and moral battleground continues to evolve, with implications that may echo through courthouses nationwide.
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