Wisconsin High Court Suspends Milwaukee Judge Accused of Helping Man Evade Immigration Authorities
In a significant development within the Wisconsin judicial system, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has suspended Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan amid federal charges alleging she assisted an undocumented immigrant in evading arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The suspension underscores the gravity of the allegations and the court’s commitment to maintaining public trust in the judiciary.
Background of the Incident
On April 18, 2025, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a 30-year-old Mexican national with a prior deportation in 2013, appeared in Judge Dugan’s courtroom for a pretrial conference on charges of misdemeanor battery and domestic abuse. Unbeknownst to Flores-Ruiz, ICE agents were present in the courthouse, preparing to arrest him following the hearing.
Upon learning of the agents’ presence, Judge Dugan allegedly became visibly upset and confronted the ICE officers in the hallway. She reportedly questioned the validity of the agents’ administrative warrant, which is less authoritative than a judicial warrant, and directed them to speak with Chief Judge Carl Ashley. Subsequently, Dugan allegedly escorted Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through a restricted jury exit, a path typically reserved for jurors and in-custody defendants, to avoid the awaiting ICE agents. Flores-Ruiz was later apprehended outside the courthouse after a brief foot chase.
Legal Charges and Suspension
Following the incident, the FBI arrested Judge Dugan on April 25, 2025, charging her with two federal felonies: concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest, and obstructing or impeding a proceeding. The Wisconsin Supreme Court, acting independently and not in response to external requests, issued a two-page order on April 29, 2025, temporarily relieving Dugan of her judicial duties. The court emphasized that the suspension was in the public interest to maintain confidence in the judiciary.
In response to the suspension, Dugan’s legal team, which includes prominent attorneys Paul Clement and Steven Biskupic, has asserted her innocence and criticized the court’s unilateral action. They contend that the suspension was premature and undermines the principle of due process.
Reactions and Political Implications
The arrest and suspension of Judge Dugan have elicited strong reactions from various political figures and legal experts. Republican lawmakers have largely defended the federal charges, with some calling for Dugan’s resignation and impeachment. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi remarked that the Department of Justice would continue to pursue legal actions against judges perceived as obstructing immigration enforcement.
Conversely, Democratic lawmakers and civil liberties advocates have condemned the actions as an overreach by the federal government. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and Congresswoman Gwen Moore expressed concerns that the arrest undermines judicial independence and the separation of powers. Protests have been held outside the U.S. Courthouse in Milwaukee, with demonstrators decrying the federal intervention in local judicial matters.
Legal experts have also weighed in, with some questioning the appropriateness of the federal charges. Several former federal prosecutors have stated that they do not believe Judge Dugan should be charged with a federal crime, suggesting that the case may be more appropriately handled at the state level.
Judicial Oversight and Future Proceedings
In the wake of the suspension, a reserve judge has been appointed to handle Judge Dugan’s caseload. This measure ensures the continuity of court proceedings while maintaining public confidence in the judicial process.
Judge Dugan is scheduled for arraignment on May 15, 2025. The outcome of the federal charges will have significant implications not only for her career but also for the broader relationship between the judiciary and federal immigration enforcement agencies.
