Wisconsin Judge Arrested for Allegedly Obstructing Immigration Agents

Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested and charged with obstruction after allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant evade federal agents. The incident has sparked significant political debate and raised concerns about the independence of the judiciary.

Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan has been arrested and charged with obstructing federal immigration agents as they attempted to detain an undocumented immigrant. The FBI announced that Dugan allegedly misdirected agents away from the Mexican national, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, whom they were trying to arrest due to multiple misdemeanor battery charges.

FBI Director Kash Patel stated in a social media post that Dugan’s actions "created increased danger to the public." He explained that Flores-Ruiz had been evading law enforcement and was ultimately apprehended after a brief foot chase following his escape from the courthouse. Dugan's attorney claimed she “wholeheartedly regrets” the incident and contends the arrest was not in the interest of public safety.

The charges against Dugan include obstruction and concealing an individual to evade arrest, with potential penalties reaching six years in prison. Following her arrest, she was released on her own recognizance with a court hearing scheduled for May 15. The events leading to her arrest unfolded in her courtroom on April 17, when an immigration judge issued a warrant for Flores-Ruiz’s arrest for his involvement in a domestic incident.

The day after the warrant was issued, multiple federal agents arrived at the courthouse to execute the arrest. According to the FBI’s affidavit, Dugan grew visibly angered upon discovering their presence and allegedly engaged in a heated exchange regarding the nature of the arrest warrant. Subsequently, she reportedly led Flores-Ruiz out through a side door typically used for jurors, while agents waiting nearby unsuccessfully attempted to secure his arrest.

Attorney General Pam Bondi remarked on the case, suggesting that judges must adhere to the law, especially in sensitive situations involving domestic violence victims. The arrest received mixed reactions across political lines, with Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin expressing concern over what she perceived as an attack on the judicial system.

Baldwin spotlighted the importance of judicial independence in a democratic society. Conversely, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson criticized the arrest as “showboating” that could hinder future court proceedings, while Republican Senator Ron Johnson advised cooperation with federal law enforcement to prevent obstruction.

Dugan was first elected to the bench in 2016 and secured a second term in 2022, despite being endorsed by the Democratic mayor of Milwaukee. The recent development adds to a growing list of controversies involving judges and immigration enforcement, including a similar incident in Massachusetts where a judge faced consequences for permitting an undocumented immigrant to retrieve personal belongings from a courtroom. The ongoing discourse emphasizes the delicate balance between judicial discretion and adherence to federal law enforcement protocols.