Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested on Friday, charged with obstruction for allegedly attempting to assist an undocumented immigrant, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, evade arrest by immigration authorities. The FBI's charge against Dugan stems from an incident that occurred last week when six agents from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Drug Enforcement Agency arrived at a local courthouse to apprehend the individual under a pre-existing warrant issued by an immigration judge.
Dugan reportedly confronted the agents when she realized they were present, expressing her displeasure and subsequently leaving the bench. Moreover, she allegedly directed the agents to report to the chambers of the county's chief judge while facilitating an exit for Flores-Ruiz through a side door meant for jury members. Although the judge’s actions appeared to create an escape route, two agents on standby apprehended Flores-Ruiz shortly after a brief chase outside the courthouse.
The FBI accused Dugan of creating heightened risks for public safety with her supposed obstruction, leading to her indictment on charges that could carry a maximum of six years in prison. Following her release on her own recognizance, Dugan expressed through her lawyer that she "wholeheartedly regrets" her actions.
The incident has incited a stark political divide, with Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasizing the necessity for judges to uphold the law rather than "deviate from their sworn duties." Conversely, responses from figures like Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson characterized the arrest as a severe overreach, warning against the implications for judicial independence.
Dugan, a former foster child herself, has been serving on the bench since her initial election in 2016 and was re-elected in 2022, often associated with progressive legal stances in Milwaukee. The ramifications of this arrest may resonate beyond the immediate case, reflecting broader tensions in American jurisdiction between judicial authority and immigration enforcement.
