A Milwaukee County Circuit Judge has been arrested after allegedly aiding a migrant in evading federal immigration authorities during an attempted courthouse arrest.
Judge Hannah Dugan faces charges of obstruction after she reportedly directed Eduardo Flores Ruiz, a Mexican national facing battery charges, to exit the courthouse through a private hallway, avoiding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents stationed to detain him. Flores Ruiz was later captured following a brief foot chase.
The incident has sparked strong reactions, with officials emphasizing that obstruction of lawful immigration enforcement will not be tolerated, regardless of a person’s position or authority.
Judge Dugan made her initial court appearance and was released pending further proceedings. Her legal team contends the charges are unwarranted and argue that her actions did not pose a threat to public safety.
The case has ignited broader debates about the intersection of judicial discretion and federal immigration enforcement, highlighting tensions over how local officials interact with federal authorities in high-profile cases.